In a recent turn of events, there was a momentary state of confusion on Thursday afternoon surrounding the suspension of visa services by the Indian Mission in Canada. Initially, the ticker on the BLS International Website, which provides information about Indian visa services, was temporarily removed, creating uncertainty regarding the status of visa services. The Indian Mission has since taken action by updating its Visa Application page on BLS International, reinstating the ticker that previously signaled the suspension of visa services.
According to information provided by BLS International, potential visa applicants have been advised to stay vigilant and regularly check the BLS website for further updates. The BLS website carries the following statement regarding the situation: "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 the BLS website for further updates." It's worth noting that BLS International Services Limited is a company specializing in outsourcing services for government and diplomatic missions worldwide, managing various tasks, including visas, passports, consular services, attestation, and citizen services.
This confusion arose shortly after an advisory was issued on Wednesday to Indian nationals and students in Canada. They were cautioned to exercise care and avoid traveling to areas in Canada where anti-India activities have been on the rise. The advisory was released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The decision to indefinitely suspend visa services for Canadian nationals by New Delhi comes amid escalated tensions between India and Canada. Ottawa had earlier announced temporary adjustments to its diplomatic staff presence in India, citing concerns over the safety of diplomats due to threats received on social media.
The strained relations between the two countries were exacerbated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This led to a diplomatic row and reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats in recent days. While an Indian official confirmed the suspension of visas, they declined to provide further comments, stating, "The language is clear, and it says what it is intended to say." This suspension marks the first of its kind since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The visa suspension follows India's advisory on Wednesday, warning its citizens in Canada about growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes. Indian students, in particular, were urged to exercise extreme caution and maintain vigilance. Union Minister of State, Subhash Sarkar, commented on India's advisory for its citizens in Canada, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens worldwide. The tensions surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia, have further fueled the discord. Nijjar was a prominent figure in the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province, which has accused India of being behind his assassination.
Canada's foreign ministry acknowledged that some diplomats had received threats on social media platforms. Consequently, they assess their staff presence in India and make temporary adjustments for safety reasons. They also called upon India to provide security for their accredited diplomats and consular officers, as per the Vienna Convention.
In response, Canada has requested additional security measures for its missions, including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.
Likewise, India has taken steps to enhance security at its missions in Canada, particularly for senior diplomats, following SFJ's release of "Kill India" posters in July and subsequent threats against Indian missions.
SFJ, banned in India in 2019 due to its pro-Khalistan activities, has issued threats against Hindus of Indian origin in Canada, urging them to leave the country for their alleged support of India and promote violence by celebrating Nijjar's assassination.
