India Rejects Claims of Violating International Law in Diplomatic Spat with Canada

India has rejected claims that it violated international law by asking Canada to recall diplomats, stating that it was seeking parity in the number of diplomats stationed in each country.

New Delhi: The Indian government has vehemently denied violating international law in its request for Canada to recall diplomats, seeking to maintain a balance in the number of diplomatic personnel stationed in each country. The diplomatic spat between the two nations arose after Canada announced the recall of 41 out of its 62 diplomats from India. Canada claimed that India threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity, which Canadian officials asserted as a violation of the Geneva Convention.

Canada Alleges India's Involvement in Assassination

The diplomatic rift between India and Canada stems from Canada's accusation that India was involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. India has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as "absurd." In response to the allegations, India has taken diplomatic measures to express its displeasure, including the cancellation of visas for Canadians.

India Defends Parity in Diplomatic Presence

India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly rejected any portrayal of implementing parity in diplomatic presence as a violation of international norms. The statement emphasized that the high number of Canadian diplomats in India warranted a balanced diplomatic presence in both New Delhi and Ottawa. India asserted that Canada's continued interference in its internal affairs necessitated this measure.

Trudeau Reiterates Concerns Over Violation of International Law

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his concerns about India's actions, stating that they contravene "a fundamental principle of international law and diplomacy." He emphasized that all countries should be concerned about such violations. Trudeau highlighted the "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the assassination of Nijjar, a Sikh leader killed in June in Surrey, outside Vancouver.

History of Tensions Between India and Canada

The diplomatic standoff between India and Canada is the latest in a series of tensions between the two countries. In the past, India has accused Canada of harboring separatists and "terrorists." Canada, on the other hand, has expressed concerns over human rights issues in India, particularly in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The ongoing diplomatic spat between India and Canada over the alleged involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist and the subsequent recall of diplomats has further strained the relationship between the two countries. As both nations seek to maintain their diplomatic presence and address the allegations, the resolution of this standoff remains uncertain. The adherence to international norms and the protection of diplomatic rights will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of India-Canada relations.