India, which has been in diplomatic conflict with Canada over the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader, said it would partially resume issuing Canadian visas, which it had temporarily suspended. As a result, it is observed that the conflict between the two sides, which has lasted more than a month, may enter a sealing process.According to the Hindustan Times and other Indian media and foreign media on the 26th (local time), the Indian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, issued a statement the previous day, saying it will resume issuing visas in four categories: entry, business, medical care, and conference.The embassy explained, “We decided to resume visa issuance (partly) after reviewing the security situation, including recent measures by Canadian authorities (on the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada).” “The Embassy and the Consulate General will continue to cope with emergency situations,” he said, adding, “We will continue to evaluate the situation and make additional decisions.” However, the embassy did not specify when to resume visa issuance.The embassy’s move came after Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said in the capital New Delhi on the 22nd that “Canadian visa issuance can be resumed if progress is made on safety issues for Indian diplomats in Canada.”The diplomatic conflict between the two countries began on the 18th of last month when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expelled an Indian diplomat after he said an Indian government agent was behind the assassination of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardyp Singh Nizar, who was shot and killed in Canada in June.In response, India responded that Trudeau’s claim was absurd, meeting with high-ranking Canadian diplomats in the country and temporarily suspending the issuance of Canadian visas, saying that there was a problem with the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.Canada recently withdrew 41 of its diplomats in India at the request of India.Canada welcomed the announcement of the embassy but urged India to cooperate with the investigation. Harjit Saizan, Canada’s Minister of Emergency Management, said, “It is good news for Canadians,” adding that it is important for citizens of the two countries to come and go with each other with strong human ties. Saizan added that 1.4 million of Canada’s population is of Indian descent. Regarding the assassination of Nizar, he said, “Canadian people were killed on Canadian soil,” adding that India should still cooperate with criminal investigations (Canadian authorities).
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
