Canada called back home 41 diplomats in fear of Immunity removal
In response to the looming threat of revoking their diplomatic immunity by New Delhi, the Canadian Government announced the departure of 41 of its diplomats from India. This move comes a day ahead of the deadline set by Indian authorities for their withdrawal, after which they risked losing their diplomatic immunity.
However, Canada has opted not to escalate the diplomatic rift further. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly emphasized that Ottawa has chosen not to retaliate, even though the recent development is described as the "expulsion" of Canadian diplomats.
This diplomatic downsizing follows India's demand for "parity" in the number of Canadian diplomats stationed in the country, reducing their presence from 62 to 21.
Mélanie Joly
India's move on Diplomats labelled Unilateral
Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, Joly confirmed, "India has formally conveyed its plan to unilaterally remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20." She went on to explain, "Given the implications of India's actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India."
Joly stressed that this action ensures the safety of Canadian diplomats and their families as they have now left India and are on route to their home country.
Global Affairs Canada issued a statement asserting that India had accredited each Canadian diplomat being expelled, and these diplomats had been faithfully executing their duties for the mutual benefit of both nations.
While the original deadline for reducing the number of Canadian diplomats in India was October 10, Canada had let that deadline pass while engaging in private negotiations with India, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Canada remains committed to dialogue with India, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy, with Joly stating, "Now more than ever, we need to have diplomats on the ground and we need to talk to one another." She noted that India's decision was unprecedented, constituting a unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunities, which contravenes international law and violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. She added that threatening to strip such immunity was unreasonable and escalatory, impeding diplomats in carrying out their work without fear of reprisal or arrest in the host country.
This diplomatic tension marks a significant development in the strained relationship between the two countries, stemming from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier statement regarding "credible allegations" of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18. India, in response, announced a halt to the issuance of visas to Canadian nationals. Both nations had previously expelled a diplomat each in the immediate aftermath of Trudeau's statement.
The killing of Nijjar in Canada had raised concerns as he was considered a terrorist by Indian authorities, but no charges had been filed against him in Canada or tested in a Canadian court.
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