India has demanded that Canada reduce its diplomatic presence in the country to achieve a balance in strength, alleging that some Canadian diplomats are interfering in internal Indian affairs. This has led to a deteriorating relationship between the two nations since the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in June.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated that discussions are ongoing to reach a mutual agreement on diplomatic presence, with India insisting on parity. India has requested that Canada withdraw several dozen diplomats from its missions in India, following a diplomatic row triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations linking Indian agents to the separatist leader’s killing.
Bagchi emphasized the need for equal diplomatic strength, highlighting the disparity in the number of Canadian diplomats in India compared to Indian diplomats in Canada. He did not confirm reports of a deadline for Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff in India, stating that details of diplomatic discussions were not to be disclosed.
It is understood that India wants Canada to reduce its current 60 diplomats in India by at least three dozen. Bagchi clarified that the visa issuance to Indians would not be impacted by the reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence. India has raised concerns about the safety of its diplomats and diplomatic premises in Canada, regularly addressing the issue with Ottawa.
The strained relationship between India and Canada worsened after Trudeau’s accusations, which India deemed as baseless and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation. India has urged Canada to decrease its diplomatic presence in the country, as the ties between the two nations reached a new low.
