India Restarts Processing Of Travel Visas For Canadians

India’s re-opening of its online travel visa processing for Canadians was initiated on Wednesday, according to its high commission in Ottawa.

This news comes two months after New Delhi blocked visa processing for Canadian missions and Canadian citizens abroad, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement in the House of Commons about there being a “potential link” between India’s government and the killing of Canadian Sikh Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, who had been labelled a terrorist by New Delhi, was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, BC, in June. This attack – which the Canadian police called a “targeted killing” – was denied involvement in by the Indian government.

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Sarah Ritchie of The Canadian Press reports that Immigration Minister Marc Miller has expressed his happiness about the ending of the ban.

“It shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” he said. “It’s encouraging news for people (who) are looking to travel.”

However, he declined to speculate about the reason behind India having put a stop on Canadians’ visas since September 21.

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E-visas are issued by India only for tourism and business for Canadians.

This news, as per Reuters, comes a month after New Delhi’s resumption of visas under four of 13 categories that had been suspended originally, such as business, medical, and conference visas, as well as entry for people with family ties in India.

It does not guarantee an easing of India-Canada relationships, however. The two countries have long tensed over the Sikh separatist groups in Canada, despite having maintained amicable economic and strategic ties.