India finally reopens borders to Canadians after forcing dozens of diplomats to leave country

India suspended ‘all categories’ of visas last month

India’s high commission in Canada has decided to ease some of its visa restrictions for Canadians a month after a diplomatic row between both countries over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The High Commission of India in Ottawa said in a statement released on Wednesday the commission and its consulate generals in Vancouver and Toronto “decided to resume visa services” after a “considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures”.

The decision to resume services came a month after New Delhi temporarily suspended these services for Canadian citizens due to “security threats” to its consulates amid a furious diplomatic spat over the killing of Nijjar.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said they suspended “all categories” of visas, including e-visas, for Canadian citizens applying from third countries.

On Wednesday, the high commission of India in Ottawa said that it was resuming business, medical and conference visas, as well as entry for people with family ties in India, starting from 26 October.

However, restrictions appear to be in place for tourists, students, journalists, and missionary visa applicants, the local media reported.

“Further decisions, as appropriate, would be intimated based on continuing evaluation of the situation,” the statement said.

Canada had also advised its citizens in India to “remain vigilant and exercise caution” in an update to its travel advisory for the country.

The easing of the visa ban on Wednesday came days after Canada said it was recalling 41 of its 62 diplomats in India. Canada was forced to recall its officials recently after Delhi threatened to strip diplomatic immunity of its staff, Ottawa said.

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said India’s demand to Canada to withdraw its diplomats was “unreasonable” and in violation of international law on diplomatic relations, a criticism rejected by India.

The diplomatic crisis between New Delhi and Ottawa began earlier in September when Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia.

CTV News reported that Canada’s immigration minister Marc Miller called the resumption of visa services “a good sign” after “an anxious time” for many Canadians.

“Our feeling is that a suspension should never have happened in the first place,” he added.

Harjit Sajjan, Emergency Preparedness minister said: “It’s good to see that they have resumed that (visa services). It would have been nice (if) they didn’t take it in the first place.

“There was a Canadian that’s killed on Canadian soil, and we’ve been asking for greater cooperation with the investigation,” he added.

Victor Thomas, the Canada-India Business Council head, said it was “a promising development” for trade. “It is also a positive sign that both governments have expressed their support for bilateral business and investments amidst these unusual times.”