India-Canada Diplomatic Row Latest News Updates LIVE: Canada's Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, announced on Thursday that Canada has taken the step of removing 41 diplomats and their 42 family members from India due to the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
In her statement, Joly emphasized that, "India has formally conveyed its plan to unethically remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20. This means 41 Canadian diplomats and their 42 dependents were in danger of having immunity stripped on an arbitrary date. And this would put their personal safety at risk."
The escalation of this situation comes after India suspended visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats stationed in India, with India citing the need for 'parity' in diplomatic representation.
Melanie Joly highlighted the significance of diplomatic immunities by stating, "They are a fundamental principle of diplomacy and this is a two-way street. They only work if every country abides by the rules. A unilateral revocation of diplomatic privilege and immunities is contrary to international law. It is a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and threatening to do so is unreasonable and escalatory."
She stressed that Canada would not reciprocate this action, aiming to uphold the norms of diplomatic immunity to ensure the safety of diplomats worldwide.
Accompanied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller, Melanie Joly acknowledged the impact of these developments on consular services, stating, "There's no question that India's decision will impact the levels of services to citizens in both countries. Unfortunately, we have to put a pause on all in-person services in our consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and in Bangalore." She reassured Canadians needing consular assistance that they can still visit the High Commission in Delhi, and reach out by phone and email.
This move by Canada comes following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being questioned about the situation with the Indian government's deadline to reduce its diplomatic presence in India significantly. Trudeau refrained from directly responding to the query, emphasizing that Canada is engaging in diplomacy with India to address this serious matter.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its aim to achieve 'parity' in diplomatic representation, calling for a reduction in Canadian diplomats stationed in India due to perceived interference in India's internal matters. Arindam Bagchi, the MEA spokesperson, mentioned, "Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction."
Bagchi clarified that India's focus is on creating a conducive atmosphere for Indian diplomats in Canada and achieving diplomatic strength parity.
This diplomatic rift between Canada and India further intensified recently when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government was involved in the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India swiftly rejected these claims as "absurd" and "motivated," while Canada has not yet provided public evidence to substantiate the accusation.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on June 18. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a point of contention between the two nations.
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