The downsizing of Canadian missions in India is still ongoing, as both countries continue to discuss the details of the exercise. However, Ottawa does not appear to be interested in ensuring parity in diplomatic presence, which is something that New Delhi is seeking. The Indian government did not deny reports that some of its diplomats may have overstayed, despite the threat of revoking their diplomatic immunity. There are also reports of a “secret” meeting between Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in Washington last month to discuss the standoff over the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on the report.
The US has expressed its desire for India to join the Canadian probe into the killing, but it is unclear whether it facilitated the meeting between Jaishankar and Joly. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has continued to escalate the Khalistan issue between India and Canada by raising it in phone calls with leaders of the UAE and Jordan. Canada has been using these meetings to apply pressure on India to cooperate with its investigations into the killing.
Earlier reports stated that a majority of Canada’s diplomats in India had been relocated to Singapore and Malaysia. However, anonymous officials now suggest that only low-level diplomatic staff were transferred out. India has never officially confirmed the existence of a deadline for downsizing the Canadian missions. Canada has a stronger diplomatic presence in India due to its large consular section, which processes visas for family members and relatives of Canadians of Indian origin.
Following Trudeau’s claim that there were “credible allegations” about India’s role in the Nijjar killing, India had asked Canada to ensure parity in diplomatic presence. India also alleged that Canadian diplomats were involved in anti-India activities. However, Canada rejected India’s argument, stating that the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations did not justify India’s call for parity.
- The downsizing of Canadian missions in India is still ongoing
- Ottawa does not appear to be interested in ensuring parity in diplomatic presence
- Indian diplomats may have overstayed, despite the threat of revoking their diplomatic immunity
- A “secret” meeting between Indian and Canadian foreign ministers was reported
- The US wants India to join the Canadian probe into the killing
- Trudeau continues to raise the Khalistan issue in phone calls with other leaders
- Canada is using these meetings to pressure India into cooperating with its investigations
- Only low-level diplomatic staff may have been transferred out of India
- India has never officially confirmed a deadline for downsizing the Canadian missions
- Canada has a stronger diplomatic presence in India due to its consular section
- India asked Canada to ensure parity in diplomatic presence
- Canada rejected India’s argument, citing the Vienna Convention
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