India Suspends New Visas & Requests Canada to Downsize Diplomatic Presence Amidst Security Threats

India has suspended new visas for Canadians and requested a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The move comes in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations linking India to the murder of a Sikh separatist. India’s foreign ministry stated that Canada has not provided any specific information regarding the allegations made by Trudeau. The suspension of new visas is a rare action for India, marking a low point in India-Canada relations. Canada’s high commission in India announced earlier that it would temporarily adjust staff presence after diplomats received threats on social media. India has asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic numbers in India to achieve parity between the missions of the two countries. The Indian foreign ministry referenced “security threats” to its staff in Canadian consulates but did not provide further details. Canada’s public safety minister has maintained that Canada is a safe country. The tensions between the two countries have also led to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats and reciprocal travel advisories. The dispute may harm trade ties between the two nations, with discussions on a proposed trade deal frozen recently. India is Canada’s 17th largest foreign investor, and Canadian portfolio investors have invested billions in Indian financial markets. Additionally, since 2018, India has been the largest source country for international students in Canada, with numbers rising by 47% in 2022 to nearly 320,000. A trade agreement between Canada and India, known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), could potentially boost two-way trade by $6.5 billion.