India Stops Visa Services for Canadians as Row Escalates

India has suspended visa services for Canadian citizens in an escalation of a diplomatic row between the two countries over murder allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, local media reported.

(Bloomberg) — India has suspended visa services for Canadian citizens in an escalation of a diplomatic row between the two countries over murder allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, local media reported. 

BLS International, which runs India visa application centers in Canada, posted an online notice that visa services were suspended indefinitely due to “operational reasons” from Sept. 21. 

The Ministry of External Affairs didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. 

New Delhi has issued warnings for its citizens living and studying in Canada to exercise caution after Trudeau claimed that Indian government agents assassinated a prominent Sikh leader on Canadian soil. India has termed the allegations as “absurd.”

Both countries have expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat move and there are now calls on social media in India to boycott Canadian brands. 

 

 

 

 

–With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen.

(Updates throughout)

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