According to numerous media reports, India has asked Canada to drastically reduce the number of diplomats in the country. This is a significant step as Canada’s mission to India is one of the largest in the world. It could also be because the dispute between the two countries has not yet cooled down.
According to numerous media reports, India has asked Canada to drastically reduce the number of diplomats in the country. This is a significant step as Canada’s mission to India is one of the largest in the world. It could also be because the dispute between the two countries has not yet cooled down.
What exactly happened?
A diplomatic row erupted between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged last month that India may have been involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader and Canadian citizen. Diplomats were expelled and India stopped issuing visas to Canada.
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What exactly happened?
A diplomatic row erupted between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged last month that India may have been involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader and Canadian citizen. Diplomats were expelled and India stopped issuing visas to Canada.
New Delhi then announced that it was seeking “parity of rank and diplomatic strength” between the two countries. Since Canada maintains a large diplomatic presence in the country, its strength would have to be reduced to match India’s presence in Canada. The Financial Times reported that 41 Canadian diplomats were asked to leave India by October 10 or risk losing diplomatic immunity.
How did Canada react?
Trudeau spoke about the importance of a Canadian diplomatic presence in India. “Of course we are going through an extremely challenging time with India, but that is why it is so important for us to have diplomats on the ground working with the Indian government and supporting Canadians and Canadian families,” he said. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada will continue to negotiate with India on the issue.
What does this mean for the broader series?
Before this incident, it seemed as if the Canadian government had decided to de-escalate tensions with India. Prime Minister Trudeau said this and emphasized the importance of his country’s relationship with India. This latest clash shows that diplomatic reprisals may still be ahead. Mint had earlier reported that the Indian government plans to cancel a dozen Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards due to pro-Khalistan activities.
Who will be negatively affected by this move?
Observers have noted that a reduction in diplomatic staff could make it harder for Canada to process the large number of visa applications it receives from Indians. Around 40% of Canada’s large international student population comes from India, as do a significant portion of the 1.3 million immigrants who settled permanently in the country from 2016 to 2021.
The reduction in diplomatic staff could also lead to slower progress on ambitious plans to strengthen trade ties and deepen defense ties between the two countries.
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