Canada has made the decision to reduce the number of its staffers stationed in its consulates across India, a move that could potentially impact visa application processes for individuals planning to travel to Canada.
According to a spokesperson from the Canadian High Commission, the staff reductions were deemed necessary due to a decrease in the number of Canadian personnel available to effectively manage operations within the country.
Despite the staff reductions, the spokesperson assured that Canada's visa application centers in India are functioning normally, alleviating concerns regarding any immediate disruption to visa processing procedures.
"We can also confirm that Canada's visa application centres in India are operating as normal," the spokesperson told PTI.
"Canada will continue to deliver core services to Canadians in India, including consular support and for trade and business development so that the citizens of our two countries can continue to benefit from the longstanding ties between Canadians and Indians," the official added.
The strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, exacerbated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, led to India's request for Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country for parity.
In response, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India, further underscoring the diplomatic tension between the two nations.
Visa services in both countries were suspended last year for a few weeks as tensions escalated, with Canada temporarily suspending visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai.
Trudeau recently testified at a public inquiry examining foreign interference in Canada's electoral process, reaffirming his government's commitment to safeguarding Canadians' interests. Addressing the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Surrey last June, Trudeau underscored the importance of addressing such incidents.
Speaking before the Foreign Interference Commission, chaired by Quebec judge Marie-Josee Hogue, Trudeau raised concerns about the previous Conservative government's relationship with the current Indian government, characterizing it as "cosy." This assertion comes amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, particularly following Trudeau's allegations of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing, which were rebuffed by New Delhi as baseless.
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