Jaishankar explains why India sought diplomatic parity with Canada
Days after Canada recalled 41 diplomats from India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar explained the reason India asked Canada to scale back its diplomatic presence. He stated that India brought up diplomatic parity due to concerns about "continuous interference" in the country's affairs by Canada. Notably, India has 21 diplomats in Canada, while the North American country had 62 before the 41 were recalled.
Why does this story matter?
India asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence at the start of this month amid a deteriorating bilateral relationship. Tensions between the countries rose after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, near Vancouver. For years, India has accused Canada of allowing Sikh separatists, like Nijjar, free rein.
Parity is very much provided for by Vienna Convention: EAM
"Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this," the minister said. "We invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel. We haven't made much of that public. My sense is over a period of time more stuff will come out and people will understand," he added.
Trudeau says India's actions making life hard for millions
Jaishankar's response can be seen as an indirect rebuttal to Trudeau's claim that the Indian government's crackdown on Canadian diplomats is making life difficult for millions of people. Trudeau stated that the expulsion of some Canadian diplomats would impede travel and commerce, as well as pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada. To recall, India suspended its visa services in Canada after Trudeau's allegations.
Would like to resume the issuing of visas: Jaishankar
On the question about the resumption of visa services, he said, "If we see progress there, I would like very much to resume the issue of visas. "My hope would be that it would be something which should happen very soon." Jaishankar said India stopped issuing visas in Canada because it was no longer safe for diplomats to go to work to issue visas.
'Ensuring diplomats' safety the most fundamental aspect of Vienna Convention'
New Delhi's actions 'contrary to international law: Melanie Joly
On Thursday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed the return of the diplomats from India while also lashing out at the Indian government's decision. She called New Delhi's actions "contrary to international law" and a violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. India rejected the charges, stating that the parity is fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention.
