The Center today said there has been no violation of international norms in India and seeks parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa. The statement came just hours after Canada withdrew 41 diplomats who accused India of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of equality as a violation of international norms,” the State Department said in a statement.
“The state of our bilateral relations, the vastly larger number of Canadian diplomats in India and their continued interference in our domestic affairs warrant an equal mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa,” it added.
India’s decision to seek parity was conveyed to Canada about a month ago, with a target implementation date of October 10, which was extended to October 20, sources said.
Attempts by Canada to portray this as an “arbitrary” and “overnight” decision are factually incorrect, the sources said.
Earlier today, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that 41 diplomats have been recalled from India.
“I can confirm that India has formally announced its plan to unethically waive diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20. This means that 41 Canadian diplomats and their 42 family members were at risk of having their immunity lifted one day. random date. And this would jeopardize their personal safety,” she said.
“Immunities allow diplomats to do their work without fear of reprisal or arrest by the country they are in. They are a fundamental principle of diplomacy and this is a two-way street. They only work if every country follows the rules. “Unilateral withdrawal of diplomatic privileges 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 added.
Canada has also suspended all in-person services at its consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru and urged its citizens in these three cities to exercise caution. All Canadians in India have been asked to contact the High Commission in New Delhi if they need assistance.
India asked Canada last month to reduce its diplomatic presence after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited what he said was credible evidence of a possible link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India denies any link to the shooting outside a Sikh temple in June.
