Resolving Differences With Canada Requires Diplomats On Ground, US Tells India
WASHINGTON, DC (IANS) – Stating that resolving differences would require Canadian diplomats on the ground, the US has expressed concern and urged India not to insist upon their reduction.
Canada evacuated its 41 diplomats and 42 accompanying dependents from India after New Delhi “threatened” to strip them of their diplomatic immunity following a diplomatic row over the killing of pro-Khalistani hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian government’s demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on October 20.
“Resolving differences requires diplomats on the ground. We have urged the Indian government not to insist upon a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence and to cooperate in the ongoing Canadian investigation,” Miller said.
Only 21 Canadian diplomats would be stationed in India from now onwards, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced in a press briefing on October 19. “
Joly accused India of unilaterally revoking diplomatic privileges and immunities by going against international law and asserted that New Delhi’s “unreasonable” move was a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on October 20 that it rejects any attempt to portray the implementation of diplomatic parity as a violation of international norms.
Pradeep Srivastava
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To me, it doesn’t make sense for a host country to dictate a foreign country regarding how many diplomats it can appoint to do the job because they are paid by the foreign country, not the host country. Of course, if the foreign diplomats are suspected to engage in illegal activities, they should be brought to the attention of the country the diplomats belong to. Also, a drastic reduction of diplomats can delay the visa issuance process which will hurt Indians trying to travel, study, work, or settle down in India.
October 24, 2023The following is what I learn from the Reuters News article of October 20, 2023, “US and UK back Canada in dispute with India over diplomats”
“”Resolving differences requires diplomats on the ground. We have urged the Indian government not to insist upon a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence and to cooperate in the ongoing Canadian investigation,” the U.S. State Department said, adding that it expects “India to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
Britain’s Foreign Office also cited the Vienna Convention. It said “the unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles or the effective functioning of the Vienna Convention.””