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Sept. 21 (UPI) -- India suspended visa services for Canadians amid a growing diplomatic rift between the two nations. BLS International, which operates India's visa officer in Canada announced the suspension in a message on its website.
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"Due to operational reasons, with effect from Sept. 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice," it said.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi later confirmed that the services had been suspended as a result of "the incitement to violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulate."
The move came as India on Wednesday issued a warning to nationals in Canada to "exercise utmost caution" after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week accused India's government of being involved with the June death of a Sikh activist living in British Columbia.
Canada expelled the head of the Research and Analysis Wing, India's foreign intelligence agency in Canada.
India strongly rejected the charge, calling it "absurd" and responded by telling the Canadian High Commissioner Cameron Mackay that it was expelling an official who has been identified in media reports as intelligence station chief Olivier Sylvestere.
The Indian World Forum accused Canada of not reining in organizations like Sikhs for Justice for allegedly stalking and purporting violence on the Indian diaspora in Canada.
