Canada seethes as India clarifies downsizing number of diplomats does not violate any international law

In a strong response to Canada’s statement on the withdrawal of some its diplomats on India’s direction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Friday clarified that no international norm was violated seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.

Canada claimed that India violated Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as it confirmed that 41 of their diplomats have been shifted out of India.

Countering Canada’s charged, the MEA issued a statement, in which it said, the Indian government “reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms”.

“We have seen the Statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India. The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa,” the MEA said, once again justifying its move to reduce the number of Canadian diplomats.

“We have been engaged with the Canadian side on this over the last month in order to work out the details and modalities of its implementation,” it said.

Parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India:https://t.co/O1fqsrOx8n pic.twitter.com/WxJojOrr5D

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) October 20, 2023

"Our actions in "implementing this parity are fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states the following: In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and to the needs of the particular mission," the MEA said in the statement.

India had asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country as relations between the two nations plunged to an all-time low after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Trudeau's charges were rejected by India and Ottawa was asked to share specific information.

The Canadian PM's allegation led to a diplomatic crisis. Last month, India suspended its visa services in Canada and asked Canada to reduce the number of Canadian diplomats posted in India. MEA said Canadian diplomats in India have been interfering in India's internal matters and there is no parity in the number between the diplomats posted in India by Canada and the other way round.

Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: "As of now, I can confirm that India has formally conveyed its plan to unilaterally remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by 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...Canadians watching may be wondering what this means for our operations in India. There's no question that India's decision will impact the levels of services to Consulates in both countries.

Canada has also announced pausing all in-person services at the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru and has directed all Canadians in India to the high commission in New Delhi.

The Canadian Embassy in New Delhi also updated its travel advisory, saying "Exercise a high degree of caution in India" claiming that there was "threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.”