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Last Updated: September 25, 2023, 19:58 IST
People board a bus for airport as they travel for Canada, in Jalandhar on September 21. (PTI File)
“A majority of Indian Canadians visit India during the festive season and stay there for three-four months. They also take care of their farmlands during the period. The cancellation of visa will disturb the social fabric,” says a top community leader from Vancouver
Angry about the temporary suspension of India’s visa services, the Sikh community in Canada is blaming the PM Justin-Trudeau-led government and Khalistani groups for the strain in bilateral ties, a top community leader from Vancouver told CNN-News18, on condition of anonymity.
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“A majority of Indian Canadians visit India during the festive season and stay there for three-four months. They also take care of their farmlands during the period. The cancellation of visa will disturb the social fabric,” he said. “It will also stop our visits to the Golden Temple which will be very painful for devotees,” he added.
The leader said they plan to give representation to the Indian Missions in Canada.
According to the leader, visa cases should be decided on a case-to-case basis. “The community blames Trudeau for the row. He should have taken steps to stop this extremism,” he said.
The row broke out as Trudeau recently accused India of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar earlier this year. The Ministry of External Affairs termed the claims made by Trudeau “motivated and absurd”.
THE VISA SUSPENSION
Amid the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of “security threats” faced by its high commission and consulates in Canada.
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MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, while announcing the visa restrictions, said, “You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and consulates in Canada. These have disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.”
He added that suspension of visa facility in Indian missions in Canada will also be enforced for third-country applicants who may choose to apply for visas through Indian missions in Canada.
A notice by BLS International, a private firm hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadian nationals, said, “Due to operational reasons… Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice”.
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All Canadian nationals who intend to visit India and do not have a visa will be affected by the suspension of visa services. This will include Canadian citizens, tourists, business travellers and students who were intending to travel to India.
Moreover, the relatives and family members of India citizens who were planning to travel to India to visit family or friends will also be affected.
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