India and Canada suspend all visa ops in tit-for-tat move as an all-out diplomatic war plays out
India and Canada have decided to halt visa services in the respective countries, citing 'operational reasons' as the cause for this suspension, in a tit-for-tat move on Thursday (September 21).
What
This move comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a terrorist associated with the Khalistani movement in Canada, posted ANI on X.
Important notice from Indian Mission | "Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," India Visa Application Center Canada says. pic.twitter.com/hQz296ewKC
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023
The visa application portal BLS issued a statement, stating, "Effective from September 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been temporarily suspended due to operational considerations. We urge applicants to regularly visit the BLS website for updates."
Why
On Monday, September 18, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau hinted that New Delhi might have been behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, on Canadian soil. Nijjar was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 19, in what was reported as an anti-gang rivalry.
The accusation by Trudeau, followed by the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat from Canada, was met with diplomatic retaliation by New Delhi. A Canadian diplomat was sent packing from Delhi the following day. At the moment, India and Canada are in the middle of an all-out diplomatic war.