India resumes e-Visa services for Canadians after diplomatic row
Ottawa/New Delhi, Nov 22: India on Wednesday resumed issuing electronic visas for Canadian nationals after suspending it following a diplomatic row over Ottawa's accusation of possible Indian government involvement in the murder of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader.
The latest move is being seen as a step that could reduce tensions between the two countries.
India had started issuing Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa, and Conference visa from October 26 after halting its visa services for Canadian nationals following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
Tensions flared between India and Canada in September after Trudeau's allegations. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India has rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". Days later, New Delhi announced it was temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in India.
On Wednesday, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa issued a notice on X, saying Indian eVisa facility has been restored with effect from 22 November 2023, for all eligible Canadian citizens holding Regular/Ordinary Canadian passports.
"Holder of any other category of Canadian passport will need to apply for regular paper visa, in accordance with the existing modalities - details may be found on the respective websites of High Commission of India, Ottawa; Consulate General of India, Toronto and Consulate General of India, Vancouver," it said.
eVisa may be applied at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html, the notice said.
Since Trudeau's remarks in the Canadian Parliament, India and Canada have expelled a senior diplomat each. India has also forced "parity" in diplomatic presence at Canadian missions here leading to the withdrawal of 41 diplomats.
India has said that Canada had not provided any evidence to back Trudeau's claims.
"If you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven't done so," Jaishankar said during a visit to the UK recently.
India had also asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil.
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Lokayukta books Udupi Excise DC in DA case, assets worth Rs 8.69 cr found
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Lokayukta police have registered a disproportionate assets case against Udupi Excise Deputy Commissioner T M Srinivas after searches at multiple locations allegedly revealed assets worth Rs 8.69 crore beyond his known sources of income, officials said on Friday.
Lokayukta officials conducted simultaneous raids on March 11 at 15 locations linked to the officer, including his residence, office and properties belonging to his relatives.
During the searches, investigators allegedly found immovable properties valued at Rs 6.90 crore, including 11 sites, six houses and about 31 acres of agricultural land reportedly owned by Srinivas and his family members, officials said.
The officials also seized movable assets estimated at Rs 2.66 crore. These include cash of Rs 3.95 lakh, gold jewellery valued at Rs 1.47 crore, vehicles worth Rs 17 lakh, bank deposits totalling Rs 25.75 lakh and other valuables estimated at Rs 72.68 lakh.
According to Lokayukta police, the total value of assets suspected to be disproportionate to Srinivas' legitimate income has been assessed at Rs 8.69 crore.
Authorities said the searches were carried out following credible information suggesting the officer had accumulated wealth beyond his known sources of income during his government service.
Documents and financial records seized during the raids are being scrutinised to determine the ownership and source of the assets.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is in progress.
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