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Toronto: Canadian tourists, businessmen and some former Indian citizens gathered to change flights and ask for their travel security deposit after India suddenly suspended visa applications for Canadians amid diplomatic escalation between the two countries.

BLS International, an agency that processes visa applications to Canada, has published an online notice stating that visa services for India have been suspended until further notice.

Reported from the page Strait Timeson Friday, September 22, 2023, the policy comes a day after the Indian government warned its citizens in Canada to be careful and indicated that their safety was at risk.

“This shouldn’t happen to innocent people,” said Canadian Jorhy Ilangovan, who was waiting in line outside the BLS office in Toronto.

Ilagovan was at BLS to help his brother, a Canadian citizen, obtain a visa for a Hindu pilgrimage to India. Brother Ilagovan has lived in India for 33 years.

Ilagovan’s brother had requested leave and feared his trip to India would be canceled. “We just want to go to the temple and pray, that’s all,” Ilagovan said.

Canada’s accusations against India

After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, relations between the two countries were at their lowest level in decades.

At that time, Nijjar was known as an activist who pushed for the independence of Khalistan, the term for the Punjab region of India that Sikhs call their homeland.

India has denied Canada’s accusations that New Delhi was involved in Nijjar’s killing. India called the allegations “absurd.” This tension has led both countries to take controversial measures, including the expulsion of diplomats.

The latest ban will mean most Canadians will not be able to travel to India. This ban from India also includes online e-visa applications.

Although Canadians who previously held an Indian passport are entitled to an Indian Citizen Alien Card which allows them entry without a visa, not all citizens have one.

“This will have an impact on Canada, both in terms of trade and economy, where India plays an important role,” said Unnati Oza, a Toronto-based travel agent.

“I used to work with clients who traveled there twice a year for business. To Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. Where do Canadians go from here?” He asked. (Hillary Sitohang)

Also read: Why are Western countries worried about the Indo-Canadian conflict?

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(WIL)