India rejects the implementation of parity in diplomatic strength, as a violation of International law
Rashmi Talwar
AMRITSAR October 20th 2023—–
In a scathing statement, India rejected any attempt by Canada to portray it in bad light or insinuate that India had violated any International law. A number of career diplomats and experts in International relations have expressed their points of assent and dissent on Twitter X platforms over the last many days. However, in the absence of any formal clearance from the Indian Government of a violation probability or improbability, the negative narrative was gaining steam.
Today, the Indian Foreign Office scotched all rumors and half-truths with the release of a formal official statement. In it, Delhi wrote in no uncertain terms that it was not violating any International Law by giving the marching orders to the Canadian diplomats and demanding parity in numbers in consonance with the number of Indian diplomats in Indian Missions in Canada. Delhi even expressed its ire and accused Canadian diplomats of their continued interference in the internal affairs of India and thus justified its demand to reduce their presence in the country’s mission offices.
Below is the verbatim statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India
We have seen the Statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India.
The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
We have been engaged with the Canadian side on this over the last month in order to work out the details and modalities of its implementation.
Our actions in implementing this parity are fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states the following:
“In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and to the needs of the particular mission.”
We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms.
New Delhi
October 20, 2023
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Canadian FM faces a volley of questions on evidence sharing about ‘Indian agents’ involvement in the killing of designated Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada
Canadian Foreign Minister Melaine Joly faced criticism for evading a direct question regarding the sharing of evidence with the Indian government on its alleged involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During a press briefing, Melaine failed to clarify whether evidence was provided to India or not. She instead clarified in a roundabout way saying- “We had numerous conversations with India before the (Canadian) PM went in front of the house (Canadian Parliament) and made his declaration!”
“But did you show them the evidence, you are basing your claim on, you are not answering the question?”
And Melaine answered –“Through these different conversations the Indian officials were made aware of the “credible allegations” and so based on that, India has decided to take their own decisions which are “precedent–setting” including revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats which is not only ‘unprecedented’ but also contrary to ‘International law’ so in that sense because this is so unprecedented, so many countries’ diplomats around the world are in danger, we decided not to reciprocate.”
Joly was caught totally off guard when repeatedly asked – “But you’re not answering the question directly on that point?” Joly asserted –“I have answered your question – you asked me a question whether we had a conversation and presented evidence, I told you there were meetings and information was shared.” Question: “You (Joly) personally went to Washington and spoke to the Indian Foreign Minister, if you could confirm that to us; what is the tenor of the diplomatic conversation (with India) is it still ongoing or is it over?
To which Joly answered –“Well, I always believe in diplomacy and so much that diplomacy is best when it is kept private. So I will continue to do that (Keep it private) and I know that my colleague as Minister of Foreign Affairs (Dr S Jaishankar) can count on me to make sure that we continue to engage and I ask for full cooperation.”
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Delays in Visas for Indians: Canada
Canada on Thursday stated a slowdown in its visa applications for Indians, as 41 Canadian diplomats were removed from India in the midst of the continuing logjam between the two countries. This was following India’s intent to unilaterally remove immunity for all 41 Canadian diplomats but 21, in Delhi by October 20th.
Ottawa informed that ‘Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was reducing its number of employees in India to five from 27. “The statement from IRCC stated to continue to accept and process applications from India but reduced staffing levels were expected to impact processing times”. Authorities however assured that the Canada-based IRCC staff will do the day-to-day work required in the country.
In early October India asked Canada to withdraw 41 of its 62 diplomats in India failing which their diplomatic immunity will be withdrawn. This is being seen as a further escalation of the diplomatic spat over the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar, shot outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey BC Canada on June 18th.
Two months after this killing Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau on September 18th alleged a “potential link” between the killing and Indian government agents. India promptly dismissed the accusations as absurd and motivated. However, the issue which was on a diplomatic level was brought openly on the floor of the Canadian Parliament by its PM which triggered a diplomatic pandora between the two countries. Which led to expulsions of each other’s senior diplomats. Stung by ‘baseless and evidence-less’ allegations India subsequently further suspended all visa services for Canadian nationals and asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country. Adding that after October 20, India will remove all diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats in the Canadian Mission locations in India”
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Rashmi Talwar Saanjh-Togetherness 