Visa service resumption was demand of Indians living in Canada: BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa
Oct 25, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 25 : As India resumed visa services in Canada in four categories, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday said that Indian government has restored the visa service on the demands of the Indians who want to come for any emergency.
Sirsa said, "It was the demand of the Indians living in Canada as they are facing problems. This problem started when Canada's PM falsely accused India inside the Parliament without any facts or proof. However, the Indian government has restored the visa service on the demands of the Indians. Now whoever wants to come for any emergency, for them visa service has resumed."
Meanwhile, India on Wednesday 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 are four categories in which India has decided to resume visa services in Canada with effect from October 26.
India had in September "suspended till further notice" its visa services in Canada amid a diplomatic row following remarks of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the suspected involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in June.
India had rejected the allegations as "absurd and motivated" and expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move over Canada's decision.
Last week, Canada pulled 41 diplomats from India, after New Delhi had conveyed its concerns over parity in diplomatic strength. Ottawa also halted its visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru consulates.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said last week that India will resume issuing visas to Canadian citizens if it "sees progress" in the safety of its diplomats.
A press release by the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said on Wednesday that the High Commission and its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, "were constrained to suspend visa services temporarily because of safety and security considerations".
"After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories with effect from October 26, 2023: (a) Entry Visa (b) Business Visa (c) Medical Visa, and (d) Conference Visa," the release said.
It said the emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the High Commission and the Consulates General as it is being done currently.
"Further decisions, as appropriate, would be intimated based on continuing evaluation of the situation," the press release said.
Jaishankar had said that India-Canada relations are going through a "difficult phase" and New Delhi has problems with a "certain segment" of Ottawa's politics.
