As diplomatic ties between the two countries continue to strain, Canada has reportedly relocated many of its diplomats from India to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
This move came after New Delhi asked Ottawa to withdraw nearly 40 of its diplomats from India, with a deadline set for October 10.
India had also issued a warning that diplomatic immunity would not apply if the Canadian staff failed to adhere to the deadline.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, on Thursday said, “Our focus is on ensuring parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence. We have sought parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, and discussions are ongoing.”
Bagchi said Canada currently has a higher diplomatic presence, and discussions are taking place to achieve parity. “In discussions on achieving parity, given the significantly higher presence of Canadian diplomats and their interference in our internal matters, we have sought an equal diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing, but we would expect a reduction in the Canadian diplomatic presence.”
As regards to Canada evacuating its diplomats, the report in CTV News, a privately owned Canadian television network, came after India earlier this week asked Canada to withdraw several dozen diplomats from its missions amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani separatist Nijjar in June.
India rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official.
The Indian Government has given Ottawa until October 10 to reduce the number of Canadian diplomatic staff in the country to match the number of Indian diplomats in Canada, as reported by CTV News.
Previous reports had suggested that 41 diplomats would need to leave, but sources cited by CTV News specify that the request aims to achieve parity.
The report said, “A majority of the Canadian diplomats working in India outside of Delhi have been relocated to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.”
Global Affairs Canada, the department responsible for managing the country’s diplomatic and consular relations, had previously said, “With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, it was ‘assessing its staff complement in India.’ Consequently, and as a precaution, the department decided to temporarily adjust its staff presence in India, shortly after Trudeau’s accusation of Indian Government involvement in the murder.”