Canada: Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats from India as the latest step in a dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver. According to Canadian Foreign Minister Ms. Melanie Joly, the latest decision was made after the Indian government said it would revoke their diplomatic immunity.
Ms. Joly noted that India’s threat to revoke their diplomatic immunity was “unprecedented” and violated international law.
“Given the implications of India’s actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India,” Ms. Joly commented during a press conference.
The Foreign Minister remarked that Canada would continue to defend international law and engage with India. “If we allow the norm of diplomatic immunity to be broken, no diplomats anywhere on the planet would be safe. So for this reason, we will not reciprocate. Now more than ever, we need diplomats on the ground, and we need to talk to one another,” Ms. Joly added.
Previously, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called for a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats in the country, claiming they outnumbered India’s staffing in Canada.
In recent months, tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi have been escalating since Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau last month accused the Indian intelligence services of involvement in the killing of Mr. Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Mr. Nijjar was a prominent member of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for the creation of an independent Sikh state in northern India.
India has denied any involvement in the shooting of Mr. Nijjar, who was charged by Indian authorities with alleged terrorism offences and conspiracy to commit murder.
Additionally, Indian officials have accused Canada of being a base for extremism and “anti-India activities.”
These incidents have led to a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures between the countries, including the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat and the suspension of visa services for Canadians.
RELATED | India halts visa services in Canada for ‘operational reasons’
