In light of an ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, India has taken the step of suspending visa services for Canadian nationals indefinitely. This move comes as tensions escalate due to allegations that have emerged connecting Indian government agents to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada back in June.
The announcement of this suspension was disseminated via a notice from BLS International, an online visa application centre based in India that offers visa consultation services. Their notice, posted on their website, reads as follows: "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice. Please continue to monitor the BLS website for subsequent updates."
These recent developments unfolded just three days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations implicating India in a potential connection to the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In an address to the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau made the bold claim that Indian agents were responsible for the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He asserted that Canadian national security agencies possessed credible evidence pointing to the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of Nijjar, who also held the position of president at Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.
In response to these allegations made by Canada, India swiftly rejected and dismissed them as "absurd" and "motivated." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India issued an official statement addressing the matter, stating, "We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister."
This situation continues to evolve, and both nations are closely monitoring developments and responses in what appears to be a contentious and complex diplomatic standoff.
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