New Delhi: E-visa services to Canadian nationals have resumed, according to sources. India had in September "suspended till further notice" its visa services in Canada. The suspension came amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India has rejected the charge as absurd.
According to the sources familiar with the development, India had started issuing Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa, and Conference visa from October 26 for Canadian nationals.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa, on Wednesday, announced Indian eVisa facility has been restored with effect from 22 November 2023, for all eligible Canadian citizens holding Regular/Ordinary Canadian passports.
"Holder of any other category of Canadian passport will need to apply for regular paper visa, in accordance with the existing modalities - details may be found on the respective websites of High Commission of India, Ottawa; Consulate General of India, Toronto and Consulate General of India, Vancouver," the notification issued by the diplomatic mission said.
The notice said, "eVisa may be applied at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html."
It is pertinent to note that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged that his inputs suggested the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
Trudeau’s allegations led to a flare up of tension in India, as the latter had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". Later, it announced temporary suspension of visa issuance to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in India.
Last September, the Indian Mission in Canada suspended visa services until further notice, citing operational reasons, according to BLS International. BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.
"Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates," the BLS website said.
However, in October, India decided to resume visa services in Canada for four categories after a considered review of the security situation, which "takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard". Entry visa, business visa, medical visa and conference visa were four categories in which India decided to resume visa services in Canada with effect from October 26.
Following the development, Canada welcomed India's decision to partially resume visa services calling it a "good sign" and stating that the suspension should "never have happened in the first place", Canada-based CTV News reported. Notably, amid a diplomatic standoff with Canada, India had halted its visa services until "further notice" in September. (with Agency inputs)
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