Parity in mutual diplomatic presence is warranted by Canada’s continued interference in India’s internal affairs, MEA says
There has been no violation of the Geneva Convention in asking Canada to withdraw diplomats from New Delhi to achieve parity in mutual diplomatic presence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (October 18, 2023).
 
According to the MEA, this parity in numbers was warranted by the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in India’s internal affairs.
 
The MEA reaction came after media reports quoted Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly saying that India had revoked the diplomatic immunity of 41 diplomats in a move which she claimed was “contrary to international law”.
 
Referring to the statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India, the MEA said, “The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa,” the MEA said.

According to the MEA, India has 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,” the MEA said, adding that it rejected any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms.
 
A diplomatic row was triggered between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations on September 18, 2023 about India’s possible involvement in the death of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by India. Canada expelled an Indian diplomat a day later.
 
India responded by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat over “anti-India activities”. Addressing the weekly media briefing on September 21, 2023, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India had informed the Government of Canada that there should be parity in strength in their mutual diplomatic presence. "Their number is much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side," he stated.
 
India also accused Canada of providing safe haven to those wanted on terrorism charges. “Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian government to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice...We've sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we've requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all,” Bagchi stated.