In fact, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said on Thursday that Indian visa applications will be delayed as Canada has removed 41 of its diplomats at the behest of India.
Canada has made a new move amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute with India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada says that there may be a delay in Indians getting visas for their country. Canada has cited an Indian decision as the reason behind this. In fact, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said on Thursday that Indian visa applications will be delayed as Canada has removed 41 of its diplomats at the behest of India.
An IRCC press statement said, “Following India’s intention to unilaterally remove the exemption for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their families in Delhi until October 20, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in India “It is reducing its staff strength from 27 to 5. IRCC will continue to accept and process applications from India, but due to the reduced staff strength, delays in processing are expected.” Furthermore, the statement said that due to the shortage of Canadian diplomatic staff in India, Indian citizens will face delays in the entire processing time, answers to every question and in getting visas or their passports back.
Meanwhile, Canadian officials have assured that Canada-based IRCC personnel in India will perform all the necessary tasks required in the country on a daily basis. The statement quoted it as saying, “The majority of India’s applications are already processed outside the country, with 89% of India’s applications processed through the global network. The five Canada-based IRCC employees who will remain in India will Will focus on the work that requires these, such as urgent visa processing, visa printing, risk assessment and supervision of key partners etc.
41 Canadian diplomats recalled from India after threat to lift immunity: Canadian Foreign Minister
Earlier in the day, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said that Canada has recalled these diplomats and their families after India threatened to withdraw the immunity given to 41 diplomats of her country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had last month alleged that Indian agents were “likely” involved in the killing of 45-year-old Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 18. India included Nijjar in the list of terrorists in 2020. India had expressed displeasure over these allegations and rejected them as “absurd” and “motivated by vested interests”.
Jolie said on Thursday, “I can confirm that India has formally announced its plan to unilaterally remove the diplomatic immunity of all Canadian diplomats and their families except 21 Canadian diplomats serving in Delhi as of October 20, that is, tomorrow.” Canada will stop all in-person services at its consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru and will now ask all Canadians in India to visit the High Commission in New Delhi.
