New Delhi: Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats and 42 dependents following an ultimatum by India, the Justin Trudeau government has announced in what is the latest episode in a diplomatic conflict between the two countries over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada also updated its travel advisory for citizens travelling to India, urging them to “exercise a high degree of caution”.
At a press conference Thursday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced that Ottawa will be suspending in-person diplomatic services at the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru. In response to a media question, Joly asserted that India’s “reaction” is in violation of international law and the Vienna convention and that Canada will not be retaliating.
“I can confirm that India has formally conveyed its plan to unilaterally remove diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in New Delhi by tomorrow, October 20. This means 41 Canadian diplomats and 42 their dependents were in danger of having immunity stripped on an arbitrary date and this would put their safety at risk,” the Canadian foreign affairs minister said.
“Given the implications of India’s actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India. This means that our diplomats and their families have now left,” she added
India had repeatedly sought ‘parity’ in diplomatic presence amid its ongoing row with Canada over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A designated terrorist in India, Nijjar was shot dead by unidentified assailants on 18 June in Surrey, British Columbia.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 18 September claimed that his government was investigating “credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”
India rejected Trudeau’s allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated.” The two countries have also expelled each other’s diplomats.
Also Read: No Canadian diplomat has left India so far, talks on parity an ‘ongoing process’ with no deadline
‘Exercise a high degree of caution’
The Canadian government in an updated travel advisory urged its citizens to “Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.”
It warned its citizens to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ especially in and around the cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chandigarh. It urged Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the states of Assam and Manipur because of the risk of “terrorism and insurgency”, while highlighting that all travel to Jammu and Kashmir must be avoided.
“In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada in traditional media and on social media. Demonstrations, including anti-Canada protests, could occur and Canadians may be subjected to intimidation or harassment,” the travel advisory said.
The advisory added that in New Delhi or the National Capital Region (NCR), Canadians must keep a ‘low profile’ with strangers and warned against sharing any personal information.
‘Contravening international law’
Joly asserted that India’s reaction is “not measured” and claimed that it is in “violation of international law and the Vienna convention.”
“That is why we will not retaliate in kind because Canada is a country that applies its principles — principles applying to our own national sovereignty to the protection of our citizens as well as the basic principles of international law,” she said.
“The only thing we are encouraging India to do is to respect international law, so that is why today we have a principled approach, which is to make sure we will not reciprocate to their action of getting rid of diplomatic immunities to 41 of our diplomats, which is clearly contrary to international law,” Joly emphasised to a question from the press.
India gave “no good reason” for the overnight withdrawal of diplomatic immunity of its staff in India, she said.
The foreign minister also refused to confirm whether Ottawa has presented any evidence to India on the killing of the Nijjar, stating that there have been “multiple conversations” with India.
Repercussions likely on visa applications
Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who was also present at the press conference, said that in “2022, India was the top country for permanent residents, temporary foreign workers and international students in Canada.”
“Following India’s intent to unilaterally remove immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in New Delhi by October 20, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be significantly reducing the number of Canadian employees in India,” Miller said.
The immigration minister conceded that the lower number of staff will have short-term and mid-term repercussions in processing visa applications from India. He added that late processing and slower services are to be expected for applicants from India.
“Canada is determined to welcome all Indian citizens who wish to come here to visit the country, work, study, be with their loved ones or make Canada their home,” Miller said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: ‘Important US has accurate picture’: Jaishankar confirms he discussed India-Canada row with Blinken