Amid the the ongoing diplomatic downfall between India and Canada, the Canadian tourists, business travellers including many former Indian citizens now are bearing the brunt of the brewing tension as India announced suspension of visa services in Canada yesterday. It has been reported that the travellers and business tourists are rushing to change flights and inquire about their trip deposits.
Owing to the escalating diplomatic row, BLS International, an agency that holds the responsibility of processing visa requests in Canada, yesterday posted an online notice saying services have been 'suspended until further notice.' It has been reported that at the BLS office in Toronto, a sign told visitors that visa services were suspended for "operational reasons."
This development came a day after the Indian government warned its citizens in Canada to 'exercise utmost caution' and insinuated that their safety was at stake in light of the current situation.
The India-Canada Diplomatic Feud
The India-Canada bilateral relationship is going through their lowest point in decades.
The diplomatic feud stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's explosive allegation concerning Indian government's role in orchestrating the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian pro-Khalistani activist who was pushing for an independent Sikh homeland in the Punjab region.
India has denied the allegation, calling it "absurd" and hitting back with measures aimed at curbing travel between two nations.
What Does the Visa Suspension Move Mean?
Indian government's decision of suspending the visa services clearly restricts the Canadians from travelling to India if they don't already have a visa.
According to several travel agents, e-visa applications online were also not being processed for Canadians. And while Canadians who previously held Indian passports are eligible for Overseas Citizen of India cards, which allow visa-free entry, many do not hold them.
In light of the current diplomatic scenario, many travel agents fear that this is going to have a detrimental impact on Canada's trade and economy, the two crucial fields where India has always played a pivotal role.
Besides business travellers, the decision is also having a durect effect on leisure travellers. According to Indian government's data, Canadians made 280,000 tourist arrivals in India last year, making it the No. 5 source of such visitors.
