Somali Magazine September 25,2023-grew between the countries when Canada’s leader suggested that India was complicit in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Parliament that there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the death of Sikh independence campaigner Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had been wanted by India for years and was shot dead outside the temple he led in June.
Canada also removed an Indian diplomat, and India followed suit on Tuesday by removing a Canadian diplomat. It characterized the charges being probed in Canada as ridiculous and a ploy to divert attention away from Nijjar and other sought individuals in Canada.
“Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, Indian visa services have been suspended with effect from September 21st until further notice,” the BLS Indian Visa Application Center in Canada stated. It provided no further information. The BLS is the body in charge of processing visa applications for India.
The External Affairs Ministry of India did not respond quickly.
The ministry issued a new travel advise on Wednesday, urging its residents traveling to Canada, particularly those studying there, to exercise caution due to “growing anti-India activities and politically sanctioned hate-crimes.”
Indians should also avoid visiting locations in Canada where “threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,” according to the government.