Mashable: India has reportedly temporarily suspended the issuance of visas in Canada, a move attributed to a diplomatic dispute arising from Ottawa's accusations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in the vicinity of Vancouver. BLS International, an Indian company that provides visa services, initially cited "operational reasons" for the suspension of visa services "until further notice," according to a notice from the Indian mission in Canada.

The notice from the Indian mission in Canada fueled speculation about the reasons behind the abrupt decision. However, shortly after this announcement was widely reported in Indian media, BLS International removed the notice from its website. There has been no official comment from India's foreign ministry regarding the matter.

Important notice from Indian Mission | "Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," India Visa Application Center Canada says. pic.twitter.com/hQz296ewKC

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023
Tensions between India and Canada escalated earlier in the week when Canada publicly disclosed its pursuit of credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh leader in British Columbia in June. In response, India categorically denied any involvement in the alleged murder. The diplomatic rift led to the expulsion of diplomats from both nations, marking a low point in India-Canada relations.

Canada holds significance for India as its 17th largest foreign investor, having invested over $3.6 billion since 2000. Additionally, Canadian portfolio investors have made substantial investments in Indian stock and debt markets. India has also been the largest source country for international students in Canada since 2018, with their numbers rising by 47% to nearly 320,000 in 2022, constituting about 40% of total overseas students.

Furthermore, reports suggest that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India could potentially boost two-way trade by up to $6.5 billion, resulting in a GDP gain of $3.8 billion to $5.9 billion for Canada by 2035.