(New Delhi) India announced on Wednesday the restoration of electronic visa services for Canadian nationals.
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 assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the murder 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 June in Surrey.
For years, India claimed that Nijjar, an Indian-born Canadian citizen, had links to terrorism, an allegation he denied. India, however, rejected the Canadian allegation that it was involved in his assassination, calling it absurd.
New Delhi’s concerns over Sikh separatist groups in Canada have long damaged relations between the two countries, despite maintaining strong defense and trade ties. 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 withdraw their diplomatic immunity, which Canadian officials called a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Last month, India eased the ban and resumed entry, business, medical and conference visa services for Canadian nationals.