Since last month, there has been tension in relations between Canada and India. A big news has come out in this episode. This news is bad news for people who want to go to Canada from India. Amidst the tension, Canada has recalled 41 of its diplomats from India. Also, Canada has temporarily suspended visa and individual consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
According to the media reports, people seeking visas will now have to go to Delhi to get the visa processing done. Let us tell you that India had suspended the visa process in Canada about a month ago. In its travel advisory for India updated on October 19, Canada said, 'In the context of recent developments in Canada and India, there have been protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada across traditional media and social media.'
Canada's travel advisory further states that 'other demonstrations, including anti-Canadian protests, may occur and Canadians may be subject to threats or harassment.' The Government of Canada has also advised its citizens to avoid crowded areas, including public transportation. They have been asked to avoid going to these areas. A former Canadian diplomat said that India asking a Canadian diplomat to leave the country is not a normal incident. I don't remember any such incident in the last 40 or 50 years, where something like this happened.
Canadian Foreign Minister Jolie said, 'I can confirm that India has informed us of its plan to end the diplomatic immunity of all but 21 Canadian diplomats after October 20. Keeping in mind the safety of the diplomats, we have ensured their safe return from India.' This means that 41 diplomats living in India and their families have left India.
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