(New Delhi) India on Wednesday announced restoration of e-visa services for Canadian citizens.
This decision, announced by the Associated Press agency, could ease tensions between the two countries, which have exchanged accusations and expelled their diplomats.
Two months ago, Canada alleged that India was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb.
Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh activist and plumber, was killed by masked gunmen in Surrey in June.
India claimed for years that Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, had ties to terrorism, a claim he denied. India, however, rejected the Canadian claim that it was involved in his killing, calling it absurd.
New Delhi’s concerns about Sikh separatist groups in Canada have long damaged relations between the two countries, although strong defense and trade ties remain. India had already accused Canada of harboring separatists and terrorists.
Canada recalled 41 of its 62 diplomats in India after New Delhi warned it would lift their diplomatic immunity, which Canadian officials said was a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Last month, India eased the ban and resumed entry, business, medical and conference visa services for Canadian nationals.
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