India-Canada row: India resumes Canadian e-visa services for all categories

India, on October 25, had resumed visa services in certain categories for Canadian citizens.

India has resumed electronic visa services for Canadian nationals after a nearly two-month pause, sources told ANI on November 22.

The resumption of e-visas implies visas for all categories - tourist, business, conference, medical, medical  attendent and emergency and miscellaneous visas.

Visa services had been suspended on September 21 amid the ongoing diplomatic row over Canada's claims that "agents of the Indian government" were involved in the June 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.

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The Indian government has repeatedly denied "absurd" and "motivated" allegations that it was involved in the death of Nijjar. It had also demanded that Ottawa shares evidence to back its claims.

Last month, Canada had said it had pulled out 41 diplomats from India and halted its visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru. These services would now be available only at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.

India, on October 25, had resumed visa services in certain categories for Canadian citizens. According to India’s High Commission in Ottawa, the services were resumed for entry, business, medical and conference visas.

The categories which were excluded are tourist, employment, students, film, missionary and journalist visas.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar  had previously indicated India's willingness to relax these measures. At the same time, he had said that relations between the two countries were going through a "difficult phase".

The resumption of services came ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's participation in the virtual G20 Leaders' Summit. This would be the first time Trudeau would come face to face with Prime Minister Modi, albeit virtually, after ties between India and Canada suffered following the former's allegations against New Delhi.