In a recent development, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic issue concerning the withdrawal of 41 Canadian diplomats from India.
Amidst what he called “a challenging phase” in India-Canada relations, Jaishankar reinforced India’s position, citing concerns over what he referred to as “persistent interference” in India’s “internal affairs” by Canadian diplomatic personnel.
During his speech at the Kautilya Economic Enclave, Jaishankar highlighted the Indian government’s stance on the matter of diplomatic parity, countering claims that India had violated the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. This comes in the wake of expressions of support for Canada by the United States and the United Kingdom. Jaishankar’s remarks marked the first public statement on this issue, underscoring its significance.
Speaking on the topic of diplomatic parity, Jaishankar emphasized its relevance in international relations, stating, “Parity is a fundamental principle outlined in the Vienna Convention, the relevant international guideline governing diplomatic relations. In our specific case, we invoked parity due to concerns surrounding the continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel.”
While recognizing the current challenges in the India-Canada relationship, Jaishankar clarified, “Our concerns are primarily related to a specific segment of Canadian politics and the policies that emanate from it.”
Jaishankar also addressed the potential resumption of visa services for Canadians, expressing optimism, saying, “If we observe positive developments, I would strongly consider resuming visa services. Ideally, this should happen sooner rather than later.”
Explaining the suspension of visa services in Canada, Jaishankar underscored the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of diplomats. He stated, “Several weeks ago, we temporarily halted the issuance of visas in Canada because it was no longer safe for our diplomats to carry out their duties, including visa processing.”
He further elaborated, “I anticipate that the situation will improve, allowing our diplomats to perform their fundamental duties with greater confidence. Ensuring the safety and security of diplomats is of utmost importance, as prescribed by the Vienna Convention.”
Reportedly, the security situation in Canada that led to the suspension of visa services is currently under review. Should security conditions be deemed satisfactory, the Indian High Commission is expected to resume visa services, the sources said.
India-Canada Diplomatic Standoff:
Tensions between India and Canada escalated last month when India requested Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a potential link between the Indian government and the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a charge vehemently rejected by India as “baseless” and “motivated.”
Moreover, earlier while responding to a question in Washington DC on Canada’s accusation, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was “not consistent with our policy”. He said Ottawa should share with New Delhi if it has something specific and relevant.
