CANADA: On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the Indian government’s crackdown against Canadian diplomats was causing hardships for millions of people in both nations, disrupting their daily lives.
Trudeau spoke a day after Canada announced the withdrawal of 41 diplomats in response to a unilateral Indian threat to revoke their diplomatic status.
New Delhi is furious that Trudeau hinted last month that Indian spies may have been complicit in the June killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. India refutes the assertion.
“The Indian government is making it unbelievably difficult for life as usual to continue for millions of people in India and Canada. And they’re doing it by contravening a very basic principle of diplomacy,” said Trudeau.
In a televised press conference in Brampton, Ontario, he told reporters, “It’s something that has me very concerned for the wellbeing and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the Indian subcontinent.”
Trudeau pointed out that the removal of Canadian diplomats would impede travel and trade and create challenges for Indian students studying in Canada.
Approximately two million Canadians, which constitute 5% of the total population, have Indian roots. India is Canada’s primary source of international students, accounting for approximately 40% of study permit holders.
The Indian foreign ministry previously denied any breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
In a statement, it was mentioned that due to the current state of bilateral relations, the increased number of Canadian diplomats in India and their continuous interference in our domestic affairs warrant equality in mutual diplomatic existence in New Delhi and Ottawa. Canada currently has 21 diplomats stationed in India.
The U.S. State Department expressed support for Canada in this diplomatic disagreement.
“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,” spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
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