India Suspends Visa Issuance for Canadian Citizens; Trudeau: Canada is Not Seeking to Provocatively Engage New Delhi

India suspended visa issuance for Canadian citizens on Thursday and requested Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country. Relations between the two countries soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Canada has not provided any specific information regarding Trudeau's allegations, and New Delhi is willing to review such information if presented. Meanwhile, Trudeau emphasized on Thursday, following India's suspension of visa issuance for Canadians, that Canada is not seeking to provoke New Delhi or create problems. Canada and India are key strategic partners in security and trade, but Trudeau's remarks have significantly angered New Delhi. He stated that there is 'credible evidence' of India's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. Hardip Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen who had long been wanted by India, was shot dead outside a temple in Vancouver last June. Trudeau, on the sidelines of the United Nations meeting in New York, said, 'We are not looking to provoke or create problems, but we emphasize the rule of law and the importance of protecting Canadians and defending our values.' India has denied the allegations of involvement in the killing of this Canadian citizen and considers Canada's accusations 'absurd.' The suspension of visa issuance for Canadians means that citizens who have not previously obtained a visa cannot travel to India until services are resumed by the Indian embassy. According to the Indian immigration department, around 80,000 Canadians visited India in 2021. This report is based on information from the Associated Press and Reuters.