India wants Canadian diplomats reduction over 'interference in internal matters': MEA

India has reiterated that it wants parity with Canada in its diplomatic presence in New Delhi.

“Given the much higher diplomatic presence of Canadian diplomats, and their continuing interference in internal affairs, India has sought parity in each other’s respective diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing on the modalities of achieving this,” Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The statement comes merely days after India asked 41 Canadian diplomats to leave the country in order to maintain parity of diplomats.

“Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction,” he added.

The ties between India and Canada touched a rock bottom after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau made allegations of Indian links in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’.

After Trudeau’s remark, diplomatic row between both the countries escalated and New Delhi had suspended the visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India.

When asked if the reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats could see a decrease in the number of visas issued by the Canadian High Commission in India, the MEA spokesperson said: “It’s up to the Canadian side, who they choose to staff the High Commission with… Our concerns are related to ensuring parity in diplomatic presence”.

He further said India’s primary focus is on two things – having an atmosphere in Canada, where Indian diplomats can work properly and in achieving parity in terms of diplomatic strength.