Visa Stay Notice For Canadians Reappears On Service Site After Being Briefly Dropped

A private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians initially posted a notice on its website stating that visa services for Canadians traveling to India had been suspended indefinitely. Hours later, the notice was briefly removed from the website, but it was subsequently reinstated.

BLS International, which handles visa applications for India in Canada, said that the notice cited "operational reasons" for the suspension of services "until further notice." The notice was briefly removed on Thursday before reappearing again, without explanation.

''Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," reads a notification on the official website of 'India Visa Application Center Canada'.

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have reached a new nadir following the brazen daylight assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot by unidentified individuals on June 18 in Surrey.

In a recent parliamentary address, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insinuated that investigative agencies were actively probing the alleged involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a 'Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.' In response to Trudeau's accusations, the Ministry of External Affairs categorically dismissed them as "absurd" and "motivated," while highlighting that Canada harbors Khalistani terrorists who pose a threat to India's territorial integrity. Both nations have issued advisories urging their respective citizens to exercise the utmost caution.

The India-Canada ties were reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.