External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has mentioned that the visa issuance was quickly suspended as a result of the state of affairs in Canada has made it “difficult for our diplomats to do the necessary work.”
Following the restoration of the e-Visa services by India for Canadian nationals, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has mentioned that the visa issuance was quickly suspended as a result of the state of affairs in Canada has made it “difficult for our diplomats to do the necessary work.”
Addressing a press briefing following the conclusion of the Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit on Wednesday, Jaishankar mentioned that the bodily visa has began in lots of classes.
“Regarding the E visa, you know, first of all, it had nothing to do with the G20 meeting. What had happened was we had temporarily suspended visa issuance because the situation in Canada made it difficult for our diplomats to do the, you know, frankly to go to the office and do the necessary work for processing visas,” Jaishankar mentioned.
“As the situation has become more secure or relatively improved. I think we have found it possible for the visa services to progressively resume,” he added.
Noting additional, the minister mentioned, “…And, you know, the physical visa has started in many categories.
“India has resumed digital visa services for eligible Canadian residents, the High Commission of India in Canada introduced on Wednesday.
The notification launched by the Indian High Commission in Canada reads, “Indian eVisa facility has been restored w.e.f. 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 the High Commission of India, Ottawa; Consulate General of India, Toronto and Consulate General of India, Vancouver,” it added.
The transfer to revive e-visa services comes amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Earlier in September, the Indian Mission in Canada suspended visa services till additional discover, citing operational causes, in keeping with BLS International.
BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service supplier for authorities and diplomatic missions worldwide. The firm 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 web site mentioned.
However, in October, India determined to renew visa services in Canada for 4 classes after a thought-about evaluation of the safety state of affairs, which “takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard”. Entry visa, enterprise visa, medical visa and convention visa have been 4 classes through which India determined to renew visa services in Canada with impact from October 26.
Notably, the ties between India and Canada have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations of Indian involvement within the homicide of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil earlier this 12 months. Nijjar was shot lifeless exterior Gurdwara in Canada’s Surrey on June 18.
