Canada Withdraws 41 Diplomats from India as Tensions Grow

Facts

• Canada has withdrawn 41 of its diplomats and their families from India after New Delhi threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity. The move signifies an escalation of the dispute over a Sikh separatist who was killed in Vancouver on June 18.¹
• Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie confirmed Thursday that the diplomats and their dependents had left India, cutting Canada’s diplomatic presence in India by two-thirds. India had demanded “parity” in the number of diplomats between the two countries since India only had 21 accredited diplomats in Canada compared to the 62 Canada had in India.²
• Ties between the two countries have deteriorated dramatically since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian intelligence services of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist who later became a Canadian citizen. Despite labeling Nijjar as a terrorist, India has resoundingly rejected Trudeau’s claims.³
• Two weeks ago, India asked Canada to remove dozens of diplomats and threatened to remove immunity for 'all but 21 diplomats,' which Canada called a 'violation of international law.' However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that the move was warranted given Canada’s large diplomatic presence and 'continued interference in our internal affairs.'⁴
• Canada’s slashing of its diplomatic numbers has caused it to temporarily suspend in-person services at consulates in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, leaving its High Commission in New Delhi as the only location able to offer services to Indians — who represent the largest percentage of Canada's recent migrant population.⁵
• India was Canada's top country for permanent residents, temporary foreign workers, and international students, but the lower consular staff levels will slow down visa processing. However, Indian government officials have suggested that the diplomatic dispute will not have any effect on trade between the two countries.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²CBC, ³Al Jazeera, ⁴BBC News, ⁵CNBC and ⁶Reuters.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The Economic Times. India’s actions over the last month have put a strain on its relationship with Canada, and in turn, harmed millions of people in both nations. New Delhi has violated international law with its threats to strip immunity from Canadian diplomats, and Ottawa had no choice but to remove the majority of its delegates in India. Unfortunately, millions of Canadians of Indian descent will be the victims of India's actions.
• Narrative B, as provided by NDTV. Canada is trying to frame India as the antagonist in the dispute over diplomatic relations—claiming New Delhi has violated international law—but this could not be further from the truth. India has every right to seek parity in diplomatic presence, and there was no reason for Ottawa to have nearly three times as many diplomats in India as India had in Canada. Canada doesn't need to have an unnecessarily bloated diplomatic corps in Canada, and India hasn't violated any norms or laws.