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The report emerged following India’s request earlier this week for Canada to withdraw several of its diplomats from its diplomatic missions. This request was made amidst a growing diplomatic dispute that began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar in June.
NEW DELHI: Canada has relocated most of its diplomats stationed in India, who were based in New Delhi, to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, according to a recent media report. This move comes after Canada set an October 10 deadline for Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic personnel to achieve a balance in numbers, following a dispute related to the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The report by CTV News, a privately-owned Canadian television network, surfaced after India made a request earlier this week for Canada to recall a number of its diplomats from its diplomatic missions. This request was made amidst a growing diplomatic dispute that began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar in June.
India dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.” In response to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official related to the case, India took reciprocal action by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.
According to sources cited by CTV News, the Indian government has set a deadline of October 10 for Ottawa to align the number of Canadian diplomatic personnel in India with the number of Indian diplomats in Canada.
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Initial reports suggested that around 41 diplomats might need to depart, but the sources CTV News interviewed clarified that the request is specifically aimed at achieving parity. The report mentioned that most Canadian diplomats stationed in India, but not based in New Delhi, have been relocated to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
Global Affairs Canada, the department responsible for overseeing Canada’s diplomatic and consular affairs, had previously indicated that due to “with some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms,” it was in the process of evaluating its personnel presence in India.
Consequently, as a precautionary measure, the department stated that it has “decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.” This decision came shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations implicating the Indian government in the murder case.
On Thursday, India emphasised the necessity for Canada to equalise its diplomatic presence in the country and raised concerns about alleged interference by certain Canadian diplomats in New Delhi’s internal affairs. This underscores an ongoing deterioration in the relationship between the two nations, stemming from the incident involving the ‘Khalistani’ terrorist Nijjar.
In New Delhi, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, mentioned that talks regarding the methods to establish a balanced diplomatic presence are ongoing. He strongly suggested that India has no intention of reconsidering its stance on the matter.
He noted that since the Canadian diplomatic presence in India significantly exceeds India’s representation in Canada, it is anticipated that there will be a reduction. He also emphasised that their primary aim is to achieve an equitable balance in diplomatic staffing levels.
The spokesperson, however, declined to address inquiries regarding reports suggesting that New Delhi has set a deadline of October 10 for Ottawa to decrease its diplomatic personnel in India. He stated, “I would not like to get into the details of diplomatic conversation.”
It has been reported that there are approximately 60 Canadian diplomats in India, and New Delhi is requesting Ottawa to reduce this number by at least 36.
When questioned about whether Canada has provided India with any information or evidence concerning Nijjar’s murder, Bagchi referred to recent comments made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Jaishankar had stated that if any particular or pertinent information is shared with New Delhi, they are open to reviewing it.
