In a significant escalation of an ongoing diplomatic dispute, India has taken the extraordinary step of suspending visa services for Canadian citizens, citing “security threats” against its diplomats in Canada. This latest move comes after Canada pointed fingers at India, suggesting its possible involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil.
The suspension of visa services was announced by BLS International, the agency responsible for handling visa applications for India in Canada. In a letter sent to Indian stock exchanges, BLS International stated that visa services would be suspended “until further notice,” effective immediately from September 21, 2023. The notice was also briefly removed and then reinstated on Thursday, without any official explanation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the decision to halt visa issuance across all categories is a response to “security threats” faced by the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada.
Arindam Bagchi, the ministry’s spokesman, pointed to concerns about incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities, and the disruptive environment created for Indian diplomatic missions as the reasons behind this temporary suspension. Bagchi emphasized that India has always believed it is the host government’s responsibility to provide security for foreign missions.
This suspension follows a stern travel advisory issued by India’s foreign ministry, urging its citizens in Canada to remain vigilant due to concerns about “politically condoned hate crimes.”
The advisory coincided with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims of investigating “credible allegations” linking “agents of the government of India” to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Canadian citizen gunned down by masked men in June.
India has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as “absurd and motivated.” The Indian foreign ministry maintains that Canada has not provided any specific information to support its alleged involvement in Nijjar’s death. Bagchi revealed that India has regularly shared specific evidence of criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil with the Canadian authorities, but no action has been taken in response.
In response to the deteriorating situation, both India and Canada have expelled senior diplomats, threatening to strain relations between these key partners of the United States. The situation has raised concerns about a potential diplomatic rift that could have broader implications.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing is at the center of this dispute, was an advocate for the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland that would include parts of India’s Punjab state. The Indian government has outlawed the Khalistan movement and classifies several associated groups as “terrorist organizations” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Nijjar’s name was listed on the Home Ministry’s UAPA terrorist list, and in 2020, India’s National Investigation Agency accused him of attempting to radicalize the Sikh community worldwide in favor of Khalistan’s creation. They alleged that he was involved in inciting Sikhs to support secession, agitate against the Indian government, and engage in violent activities.
Nijjar met a tragic end when he was shot dead by two masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. His death shocked and outraged the Sikh community in Canada, one of the largest Sikh populations outside of India, comprising over 770,000 members of this religious minority.
As of now, Canadian authorities have not made any arrests in connection with Nijjar’s murder. In an update provided in August, they revealed that they were investigating three suspects and had issued a description of a possible getaway vehicle, seeking the public’s assistance in the case.
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