India restarts suspended tourism and business e-visas for Canadians

India resumed issuing e-visas for Canadian tourists and business travellers on Wednesday two months after it suspended such services following a row over Ottawa's accusation of possible Indian government involvement in the murder of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader.

Though the move is likely to ease tensions slightly, relations between the two countries are not expected to significantly improve in the near future.

"E-visa services to Canadian nationals have resumed," an Indian government official aware of the decision said on the condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak on the subject.

The official did not say if the decision will lead to a significant thaw in the relationship with Ottawa.

India issues e-visas only for tourism and business for Canadian nationals.

It comes a month after New Delhi had resumed visas under four of the 13 categories that had been suspended in September.

Ties between the countries nosedived after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada's parliament that his government was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in a Vancouver suburb.

Nijjar was a proponent of a decades-long, but now a fringe demand to carve out an independent Sikh homeland from India named Khalistan.

More from International news

  • Thousands of Australians without power as cyclone Alfred hits

    Hundreds of thousands of people in Australia's Queensland state were without power on Sunday after Alfred, a downgraded tropical cyclone, brought damaging winds and heavy rains, sparking flood warnings.

  • Israeli airstrike kills two in southern Gaza

    An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, medical sources said, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend a shaky 42-day ceasefire agreed in January between Israel and Hamas.

  • 12 people injured in Toronto pub shooting

    Toronto Police said early on Saturday they were searching for three male suspects in a shooting that injured at least 12 people at a pub in the Canadian city.

  • Cyclone Alfred downgraded as millions stay indoors

    Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred lingered off the south-east Australian coast on Saturday and forecasters said Brisbane is likely to miss the worst of the storm, a relief for millions of residents in the region who have been staying indoors.

News

  • UAE condemns attack on UN Force, South Sudan Troops

    The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a helicopter affiliated with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and on South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in Upper Nile State.

  • School registration for 25-26 academic year extended

    The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced the extension of the registration period for students in public schools for the academic year 2025-2026 by one week, to provide parents the opportunity to complete all required procedures.

  • UAE leaders mark International Women's Day

    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed his gratitude and appreciation for women around the world, as the UAE celebrates International Women's Day.