Canada-India strain continues: India suspends visa services in Canada until further notice

In a recent development amid the growing tensions between India and Canada, the Indian Visa services in Canada have been suspended until further notice. This decision was conveyed through a notice from the Indian Mission and took effect on September 21, 2023. The suspension of Indian visa services in Canada has been attributed to operational reasons, although specific details were not provided in the notice.

BLS International, a tech-enabled services partner that facilitates visa application services for various governments, citizens, embassies, and Governments worldwide, is responsible for providing Indian visa services in Canada. As a result of this suspension, individuals seeking Indian visas from Canada will need to await further updates regarding when visa services will be reinstated.

"A notice from Indian Mission said, "Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," India Visa Application Center Canada said in a statement.

This development comes against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Canada, stemming from recent allegations made by the Canadian government regarding the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia in June 2023. India has categorically rejected these allegations as absurd, and the situation remains delicate, with repercussions affecting diplomatic and consular services between the two nations.