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Solopos.com, NEW DELHI — India has stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens amid an escalating conflict over the killing of a Sikh separatist.

India said the decision to suspend visas was taken because security threats were disrupting its mission in Canada.

According to the BBC via Bisnis.com, tensions flared after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said India could be behind the killing of Sikhs on June 18.

But Trudeau said he did not want to provoke India with such accusations. India reacted angrily and dismissed the accusations as absurd.

But Trudeau said he did not want to provoke India with such accusations. India reacted angrily and dismissed the accusations as absurd.

“There is no doubt that India is an increasingly important country and a country with which we must continue to work together,” Trudeau said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

It was emphasized that Canada does not want to provoke India or cause problems with these accusations, but Canada is very firm on the importance of the rule of law and the protection of Canadian citizens.

Analysts say it is now at an all-time low. The Indian government was quick to explain that the suspension of visa services also applies to Canadians in third countries.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson in New Delhi said threats were targeting Canadian high commissions (embassies) and consulates.

“This disrupted their normal functioning. SO, [mereka] temporarily unable to process visa applications. India seeks parity of rank and diplomatic power between the diplomatic missions of the two countries. “This is being requested because of Canada’s diplomatic interference in our internal affairs,” he said.

Hours earlier, Canada announced a reduction of its staff in India and said some diplomats had received threats on social media.

“Given the current situation where tensions are rising, we are taking measures to ensure the safety of our diplomats,” the Canadian government said.

However, Canadian visa services remain open in India. During this period, the two countries maintain historically close relations and the stakes are high.

According to the 2021 population census, Canada has 1.4 million people of Indian origin, more than half of whom are Sikhs, who make up 3.7% of the country's population.

India also sent the highest number of international students to Canada in 2022, reaching 40% of the total 320,000 international students.

According to Indian government statistics, approximately 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India in 2021, lagging behind the United States, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.

This article was published on Bisnis.com with the title “Tense! India suspends visas for Canadian citizens”

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