The escalated tensions between India and Canada have raised concerns about how the situation might affect travel, trade and other relations between the countries.
The good news is there are no such announcements from either Canadian or Indian ambassies on hold on visa services but immigration consultants are expecting there will be delays. When it comes to trade, Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, confirmed in statement that Canadian government remains fully committed to supporting the “well-established commercial ties between Canada and India.”
The Indian government had stopped issuing visas and Consulate services last September when PM Trudeau accused Indian officials in the parliament of Nijjar case. However, this time there has been no such news on stopping visa or consulate services. The good news is there are no such announcements on hold on visa services but immigration consultants are expecting there will be delays. It is disheartening news for those who have planned travel to India because wedding season is approaching.
Canada remains a top destination for Indian immigrants, processing thousands of applications annually. Data from the National Foundation for American Policy indicates Indian immigration increased by approximately 326 per cent from 2013 to 2023.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it’s “working hard to mitigate any impact on applicants from or in India by continuing to share the workload across our global processing network. The large majority of applications from India are already processed outside of India, with well over 90 per cent of India’s applications processed in Canada”
“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, including visa application centres, panel physicians, and clinics that perform immigration medical exams,” the IRCC added.
According to News Agency Reuters bilateral trade between India and Canada amounted to US$8.4 billion at the end of the last fiscal year on March 31, marginally up on the previous year, according to India’s trade ministry.
Canada exports primarily minerals, pulses, potash, industrial chemicals and gemstones to India and imports goods such as pharmaceuticals, marine products, electrical and electronic equipment, pearls and precious stones.
There is no immediate impact on bilateral trade ties too, government officials from the two countries said. Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade in a statement said, “I understand the effects today’s events may have on Canadians doing business or investing in India, and the uncertainty that some may be feeling at this time. I want to reassure our business community that our government remains fully committed to supporting the well-established commercial ties between Canada and India. Our Trade Commissioner Service will continue to assist and provide resources to Canadian companies operating in India. Let me be clear: Canada stands firmly by its businesses. We will work closely with all Canadian enterprises engaged with India to ensure these important economic connections remain strong. However, we must consider our economic interests with the need to protect Canadians and uphold the rule of law. We will not tolerate any foreign government threatening, extorting, or harming Canadian citizens on our soil. We urge the government of India to respect the same principles of law and justice that guide our actions.”
