“India-Canada Relationship Is Going Through A Difficult Phase”: S Jaishankar (Image:Twitter/DrSJaishankar)
The Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that India had invoked parity with Canada on diplomatic presence as the government is concerned over the continuous interference of “Canadian personnel” in India’s state affairs. The minister also confirmed that the relationship between both the countries are passing through a difficult phase.
Mr Jaishankar mentioned the visa denial procedures in Canada initiated by the Indian government recently. The huge concern was on the visa procedures and explained that the initiative was in concern of the safety and security of diplomats. “We”re tracking it very closely. My hope, my expectation is that situation would improve in the sense that our people would have greater confidence in being able to do their basic duty as diplomats”, he said.
On talking about parity, the minister said that, the government will make more on decision public in future and people will be able to understand “why we had the kind of discomfort with many of them which we did”. It was in September, New Delhi asked Ottawa to reduce their diplomatic presence on Indian soil by withdrawing 41 officials. Canada had 62 diplomats in New Delhi, a large number comparing to what India has in Canada.
#WATCH | On Visa services in Canada, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “The relationship right now is going through a difficult phase. But I do want to say the problems we have are with a certain segment of Canadian politics and the policies which flow from that. Right now the big… pic.twitter.com/GfF7um38Ls
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2023
The stress between the two countries came into light after the Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while addressing the parliament alleged that the murder Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was an extraterritorial assassination operated by the Indian government. The comment instantly fuelled bureaucratic tension between the two countries. Mr Trudeau also initiated an investigation on the matter with the help of Canadian Intelligence agencies. India has earlier dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.
The row got more worsened as both of the country expelled its senior diplomats. India also suspended visa services in Canada citing ‘operational reasons’, and issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country.
Ottawa then expressed their willingness to have a private discussion with India to resolve the row stating that the country has a serious approach towards the safety of their diplomats working on the Indian soil. The deadline was earlier October 10, and Canada shifted several of their diplomats based in India to Malaysia or Singapore.
