The relationship between India and Canada has become tense, as Canada has recently requested the departure of a high-ranking Indian diplomat. This decision was made in light of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement, suggesting a credible connection between the Indian government and the unfortunate assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Nijjar tragically lost his life on June 18 near a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia.
This escalation of tensions raises concerns about the future of trade between India and Canada, considering Canada's significant contribution as the 18th largest supporter of the Indian economy, attracting approximately $3.3 billion from January 2000 to March 2023. This amount represents around 0.5% of India's total foreign direct investment (FDI) during this period. In 2022, India holds the position of Canada's ninth trading partner, with the services and infrastructure sector comprising a noteworthy 40.63% of total FDI from Canada.
Ottawa sought consultation with Canberra, Washington DC, and London before publicly making the accusation against New Delhi regarding Nijjar's murder. This action has raised concerns in Australia, which has expressed its concerns with India at the highest level.
According to reports, Ottawa has put forward a proposal for a joint statement from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance regarding New Delhi's alleged involvement in the Nijjar killing, potentially during the G20 summit hosted by India. However, regrettably, the UK, the US, and Australia declined to take part. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed the gravity of the incident, referring to the murder of an Indian separatist leader in another nation as exceedingly concerning. Meanwhile, New Delhi dismissed the accusations made by the Canadian government as unfounded.
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In light of the ongoing diplomatic crisis, we would like to inform you that the Canadian High Commission and consulate in India are currently operational. However, it is regrettable to inform you that visa services for Canadian citizens have been temporarily suspended. Moreover, it is advised by both countries to exercise caution and refrain from any travel at this time.
The Indian delegation has politely announced a temporary suspension of visa services, effective from September 21, due to operational reasons. While this notice was briefly taken down from the official website of the BLS Indian Visa Application Center in Canada, it has now been reinstated. The centre is responsible for processing visa applications for India.
The Canadian High Commission has confirmed its commitment to ongoing operations and customer service. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada, which handles diplomatic and consular relations, is diligently overseeing the safety and security of missions and personnel. In light of escalating tensions, precautions are being taken to safeguard diplomats, as a few have encountered threats on different social media platforms. Additionally, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada assesses its Indian staff appropriately.
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