The ministry of external affairs strongly responded to Canada’s statement on the withdrawal of some of its diplomats following India’s prod and said no international norm was violated seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa. Canada accused India of violating Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as it confirmed that 41 diplomats have been shifted out of India. “We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms,” the MEA said countering Canada’s charge.

The ministry of external affairs strongly responded to Canada’s statement on the withdrawal of some of its diplomats following India’s prod and said no international norm was violated seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa. Canada accused India of violating Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as it confirmed that 41 diplomats have been shifted out of India. “We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms,” the MEA said countering Canada’s charge.

The row goes back to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing India of killing sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the charge and asked Ottawa to share specific info which Canada said it did but India denied. New Delhi cited the number of times it sent details about Khalistani terrorists sheltered in Canada and Canada took no action.

The charge-countercharge over Nijjar narrowed down to a diplomatic crisis. India suspended its visa services in Canada and asked Canada to reduce the number of Canadian diplomats posted in India. MEA said Canadian diplomats in India have been interfering in India’s internal matters and there is no parity in the number between the diplomats posted in India by Canada and the other way round.

Canada: Unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunities
Earlier it was reported that New Delhi gave a deadline till October 10 to Ottawa to remove 41 diplomats from India. Canada on October 19 issued a statement on this and confirmed that the deadline was till October 20. The statement issued from Canada’s foreign affairs ministry blamed India of “unilaterally revoking diplomatic privileges and immunities” contrary to “international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations”.

“This action taken by India is completely unreasonable and escalatory. India accredited each and every one of the Canadian diplomats they are now expelling. And all of those diplomats were carrying out their duties in good faith, and to the greater benefit of both countries,” the statement read.

“Diplomatic immunities should be respected and cannot be unilaterally revoked by a host country. If we allow this norm to be broken, no diplomat anywhere would be safe. As such, the Government of Canada will continue to respect diplomatic norms and not reciprocate this action,” Canada said.

Information from Economic Times, Hindustan Times, AP News