OCI Card
Official Assures OCI Services Unaffected Despite India-Canada Visa Suspension Conflict
The recent suspension of visa services for Canadian citizens by India, citing security concerns for its consulate staff in Canada, has raised questions about its impact on Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) services. However, an Indian official has clarified that the suspension only applies to visa services and does not affect OCI services.
The visa suspension was implemented amid growing tensions between Canada and India, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the House of Commons. Trudeau mentioned "credible allegations" of a potential connection between Indian agents and the murder of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18. Nevertheless, the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, noted that they had not received any specific information from Canada regarding these allegations.
The third-party contractor responsible for processing applications in Canada, BLS International, attributed the visa service suspension to "operational reasons" and announced that visa services would remain suspended until further notice. However, the Indian External Affairs Ministry assured that OCI services would continue unaffected.
There was some uncertainty regarding whether the suspension applied to both current OCI cardholders and new applicants. Still, Bagchi clarified that those with valid visas and OCI cards were still free to travel to India.
The suspension of visa services was attributed to the failure of Canadian authorities to address incitement of violence against Indian diplomats. This temporary halt in visa issuance and services was seen as a response to these concerns.
To address potential security issues, Indian officials have indicated that they will subject OCI applications to greater scrutiny, particularly concerning individuals of Indian origin in Canada involved in pro-Khalistan activities.
The situation has led to diplomatic fallout between Canada and India, with both countries expelling diplomats. In response to Trudeau's allegations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has called for the closure of India's mission in Canada on September 25 and the expulsion of India's High Commissioner to Ottawa.
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