Sikh leader murder row: Indian firm scraps notice about visa service suspension for Canadians

NEW DELHI – An Indian company on Thursday withdrew a notice about suspension of visa services for Canadian citizens.

The move came minutes after it stated on its website that the services were suspended following a notice from the Indian mission.

BLS International, an Indian company offering visa facilities, had earlier said the notice from the Indian mission in Canada cited “operational reasons” for suspension of visa services “till further notice”.

India’s foreign ministry spokesperson did not respond to queries about the matter.

Tensions between the two countries escalated earlier this week.

Canada said on Monday it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the

murder of a Sikh separatist leader

in British Columbia in June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has categorically rejected

Canada's suspicions that Indian agents had links to the murder.

With both nations expelling diplomats, India and Canada diplomatic ties have touched their lowest point, analysts said.

Canada is India’s 17th largest foreign investor, pouring in more than US$3.6 billion (S$5 billion) since 2000, while Canadian portfolio investors have pumped billions of dollars into Indian stock and debt markets.

Since 2018, India has been the largest source country for international students in Canada. In 2022, the number rose by 47 per cent to nearly 320,000, accounting for about 40 per cent of total overseas students, says the Canadian Bureau of International Education, which also helps universities and colleges provide a subsidised education to local students.

Industry estimates show that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and India could boost two-way trade by up to US$6.5 billion, yielding a gross domestic product gain of US$3.8 billion to US$5.9 billion for Canada by 2035. REUTERS