New Delhi: India has immediately suspended visa issuance to Canadian nationals, amidst ongoing tension between the two nations. The tension has been exacerbated by Canada’s designation of six Indian individuals as terrorists and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks on the Khalistani separatist movement. The Indian government has not specified the duration of this visa suspension, but it is likely to persist until relations between India and Canada improve.
This suspension will adversely affect the Canadian economy by reducing the influx of Indian tourists and business travellers. It will also pose challenges for Canadian companies operating in India.
Additionally, Canadian students and workers planning to go to India will face disruptions, with students needing to defer their studies and workers seeking new employment opportunities.
This visa suspension holds significant implications for both India and Canada, not only economically but also diplomatically. It signals strained relations and hinders efforts to address underlying issues causing these tensions.
According to the 2021 Canadian census, there are 1,820,240 people of Indian origin living in Canada. This makes up 5.1 per cent of the Canadian population, making Indians the third largest visible minority group in Canada, after Chinese and Filipinos.
The majority of Indians in Canada live in Ontario (1,050,820), followed by British Columbia (274,280), and Alberta (186,750). The largest cities with Indian populations are Toronto (697,375), Vancouver (231,785), and Calgary (109,030).
The Indian population in Canada has been growing rapidly in recent years. Between 2016 and 2021, the Indian population in Canada increased by 20.7 per cent, making it the fastest growing visible minority group in Canada.
The growth of the Indian population in Canada can be attributed to a number of factors, including immigration, natural increase, and international student mobility. In 2021, India was the top source country for immigration to Canada, with over 42,000 Indian immigrants arriving in Canada.
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