Indian suspend all visa service for Canadians

MONTREAL - Sukhwinder Dhillon had longed to return to his birthplace in India's Punjab state to attend to family matters, but recent developments have thwarted his plans. Dhillon, a 56-year-old Montrealer, had been preparing to make his first trip back to India in years after the passing of his father and brother. However, he's been forced to delay his visit due to the suspension of visa services by the Indian government for Canadian citizens, leaving many Indo-Canadians in a state of disarray.

This situation has escalated following a diplomatic rift between the two nations, which began when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that New Delhi might have played a role in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Tensions between Canada and India have rapidly deteriorated since then, with both countries expelling diplomats and issuing travel advisories.

For Dhillon, who immigrated to Canada in 1998, this has heightened his unease with his home country amid an increase in strong rhetoric from India's ruling Hindu nationalist party. He had been accustomed to returning to India every few years but now faces uncertainty about when he can make the trip.

In 2021, India welcomed 80,000 Canadian tourists, making them the fourth largest group of visitors. Canada is also home to approximately 1.4 million residents of Indian descent, including around 772,000 Sikhs, the highest number outside of India.

India requires all foreign visitors to obtain a visa, but many Canadians of Indian origin are eligible for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which simplifies the visa process. While some like Mohinder Singh are willing to endure delays and sacrifices for a larger good, the temporary suspension of visa services has raised concerns for many travelers and businesses, including travel agencies and airlines that serve the Indo-Canadian community.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi confirmed the suspension of all visa services for Canadians, citing security threats to Indian diplomatic missions in Canada. The situation remains fluid, with both nations grappling with diplomatic tensions while Canadians of Indian heritage hope for a swift resolution to resume their travel plans.

Indian High Commission gate closed in Ottawa 

These developments come at a time when India has become the leading source of immigration to Canada, further highlighting the significant impact of this diplomatic dispute on people's lives and business interests.