BIG BREAKING NEWS: India Resumes Visa Services in Canada - What You Need to Know

In significant news, India is resumes its visa services in Canada from October 26. This decision was made after carefully checking the safety situation, considering recent Canadian actions. These visa services will be available for entry, business, medical, and conference visas. It's important to note that this decision was made despite India expelling 41 Canadian diplomats. While the US and UK supported Canada's stance, India asserts that its actions align with the Vienna Convention.

The High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada, and its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver temporarily stopped visa services due to safety concerns. However, after reviewing the security situation and considering recent Canadian measures, it has been decided to resume visa services starting from October 26. These services will cover entry, business, medical, and conference visas.

This move comes amid renewed tensions over India's decision to expel 41 Canadian diplomats in a bid to ensure diplomatic parity with Canada. While the US and UK have supported Canada's view that India acted unilaterally and breached the Vienna Convention, India maintains that its actions align with the Convention.

In response to India's expulsions, Canada unilaterally closed services in its three consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This raised concerns about potential disruptions in visa services for Indian nationals. India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has mentioned that India is considering resuming visa services for Canadians "very soon" if there is progress in ensuring the safety of its diplomats in Canada.

Back in September, India suspended visa services in Canada due to a diplomatic dispute related to the killing of Khalistani-linked terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India also warned its citizens traveling to Canada, advising them to exercise caution because of increasing anti-India activities and politically endorsed hate crimes and criminal violence in the country.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil. India strongly denied these allegations and emphasized that the main issue in its relationship with Canada is the safe haven provided to "terrorists and criminal elements" in that country.

Leaving aside other considerations, this news is significant for aspiring immigrants from India to Canada. This development will improve India-Canada relations and potentially increase the number of immigrants from India to Canada.