Canada evacuates diplomats from India following revocation of diplomatic immunity

Summary:

• Canada has evacuated its diplomats and staff from India after the Indian government announced the revocation of their diplomatic immunity.
• The move comes amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
• Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly expressed concern about the safety of Canadian diplomats and their families and stated that India’s decision puts their personal safety at risk.
• Joly criticized India’s unilateral revocation of diplomatic privilege and immunity, calling it a violation of international law and the Geneva Convention on diplomatic relations.
• As a result of the evacuation, in-person services at Canadian consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore will be temporarily suspended.

Details:

Canada has evacuated its 41 diplomats and 42 other staff members from India following the Indian government’s announcement to revoke their diplomatic immunity. The decision comes amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly expressed her concern about the safety of Canadian diplomats and their families. She stated that India’s plan to remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents by October 20 puts their personal safety at risk. Joly added that this decision will impact the levels of services provided by Canadian consulates in both countries and announced a temporary suspension of in-person services at consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

Joly further criticized India’s unilateral revocation of diplomatic privilege and immunity, calling it a violation of international law and the Geneva Convention on diplomatic relations. She described India’s actions as unreasonable and escalatory.

The safety of Canadians and Canadian diplomats is the top concern for the Canadian government, according to Joly. As a result, the government facilitated the safe departure of its diplomats and their families from India.

India and Canada have been experiencing strained relations recently. The evacuation of Canadian diplomats is seen as a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

Conclusion:

The evacuation of Canadian diplomats from India comes as a response to the Indian government’s decision to revoke their diplomatic immunity. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly expressed concerns about the safety of Canadian diplomats and their families and criticized India’s actions as violating international law. This development further strains the already tense diplomatic relations between India and Canada.

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