India's decision to suspend visa services for Canadian citizens amid a diplomatic dispute is raising concerns among professionals, technology companies, and entrepreneurs. While potential delays in new contracts might occur, the impact on existing Indian IT projects in Canada is expected to be limited because Canada has not halted visa applications by Indians. However, if Canada were to reciprocate and suspend visa applications from Indians, the impact could be more significant.
The suspension primarily affects Canadian citizens who are investors, entrepreneurs, or tech professionals, preventing them from obtaining visas to travel to India. Despite this, the impact on business, given the adaptability seen during the pandemic, is likely to be temporary. Over 600 Canadian companies have a presence in India, and more than 1,000 Canadian companies are pursuing business interests there, with Indian IT firms playing a significant role in these collaborations.