In response to the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic standoff, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a slowdown in Indian visa applications. The tension escalated after Canada removed 41 of its diplomats from India, following India's decision to unilaterally remove immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents in Delhi by October 20, 2023.
Canada has temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. The same will be available only the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. India had about a month back suspended visa processing in Canada.
IRCC stated that it would reduce its workforce in India from 27 to just 5 employees. " The 5 Canada-based IRCC staff who remain in India will focus on work that requires an in-country presence such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment and overseeing key partners," the IRCC said.
While they will continue to accept and process applications from India, the reduced staffing levels are expected to affect processing times. Indian citizens may encounter delays in overall processing, responses to inquiries, and visa and passport issuance due to the decrease in Canadian diplomatic staff.
"Canada has a strong connection with Indian citizens, and will continue to welcome them, whether they wish to come here to visit, work, study, be reunited with loved ones, or live permanently in the country," IRCC said in a statement.
Canada assured that the remaining IRCC staff in India would carry out essential tasks necessary for the country. A large percentage of Indian applications are already processed outside the country, with 89% going through the global network. The five Canada-based IRCC staff in India will focus on in-country tasks like urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and managing key partners.
Canada's Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, confirmed the departure of 41 diplomats and their 42 family members from India, citing India's decision to remove diplomatic immunities as a risk to their personal safety. India had called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats, seeking 'parity' in response to ongoing disputes between the two nations.
Joly emphasized the importance of diplomatic immunities in maintaining a safe environment for diplomats worldwide, stating that unilateral revocation of these privileges violated international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
This development is expected to impact service delivery to citizens in both countries
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