Canada announced that it is recalling 41 diplomats from India after the Indian government threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity by 20 October.
The move comes after New Delhi asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India, seeking parity in the number of diplomats of both the countries, following the escalating diplomatic spat between the two nations.
Overview
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that out of its 62 diplomats stationed in India, Canada removed 41 along with their 42 dependents as they were put at risk after India threatened to strip their immunity at an arbitrary date.
Canada has pulled 41 diplomats out of India in the latest escalation of a bitter dispute over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver https://t.co/N7zFk1HWYz pic.twitter.com/GYuGEvsIey
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 20, 2023
Joly said, “A unilateral revocation of diplomatic privilege and immunities is contrary to international law and a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Threatening to do so is unreasonable and escalatory,” Joly said.
While announcing that the diplomats and their families had left India, Joly said, “Given the security implications of India’s actions on these Canadian diplomats and their families, Canada has facilitated their safe departure.”
“Diplomatic immunities should be respected and cannot be unilaterally revoked by a host country. If we allow this norm to be broken, no diplomat anywhere would be safe,” Joly said.
Joly also said that while removing diplomatic immunity is unprecedented, Canada would not do the same thing with Indian diplomats.
She remarked, “Canada will continue to defend international law, which applies equally to all states.”
Visa Services Halted
Joly announced that “India’s decision will impact levels of services to citizens in both countries.”
While saying that mass expulsion will impact operations, Joly announced that Canada will put a pause on all in-person services in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as a consequence of the decision.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller mentioned that the departure of diplomats meant that Canada would reduce the number of embassy staff dealing with immigration.
“We acknowledge the concerns and frustrations that this situation may cause for clients, families, educational institutions, communities, businesses in Canada as a whole,” Miller told the press conference.
However, Miller mentioned that, as Visa application centres in India are operated by third-party contractors, they would not be impacted.
Additionally, Canadians needing consular access in India can still contact the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi.
India-Canada Tensions
Joly said, “India’s decision will not distract from Canada’s legitimate investigation into the killing of Mr. Nijjar.”
She mentioned, “Canada’s priorities in this matter continue to be the pursuit of the truth, the protection of Canadians, and the defence of our sovereignty.”
Ties between India and Canada soured after Canada accused the Indian government of being behind the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver in June.
Canada's foreign minister said Thursday that the country has recalled 41 of its diplomats from India after the Indian government said it would revoke their diplomatic immunity, escalating a spat over the slaying of a Sikh separatist in Canada. https://t.co/0rQymXD83g
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 20, 2023
The Indian government denied any allegations of involvement, calling them “absurd and motivated.”
Further, the Indian government accused Canada of providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists.
Following the dispute, India had asked Ottawa to repatriate at least 41 diplomats by 10 October after it expressed that it wanted “parity” in the number and grade of diplomats in each other’s countries.
Despite these developments, Canada is yet to provide concrete proof of the allegations it made against India.