Tensions between India and Canada have been simmering as diplomatic missions continue to downsize and allegations of covert meetings come to light. The recent developments surrounding a reported secret meeting between Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, raise questions about the state of bilateral relations between these two nations.
The downsizing of Canadian missions in India is still underway, with both countries actively engaged in discussions over the specifics of this exercise. However, a key point of contention arises from the differing priorities of Ottawa and New Delhi regarding the maintenance of diplomatic presence. New Delhi seeks parity, a request not readily met by Ottawa.
Reports suggest that the Indian government has not refuted allegations that some of its diplomats may have overstayed their welcome, even in the face of potential diplomatic immunity revocation. A clandestine meeting between Jaishankar and Joly in Washington last month further muddies the diplomatic waters. The topic of discussion: the ongoing standoff surrounding the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs remains tight-lipped about the reported secret rendezvous.
The United States has expressed its desire for India to participate in the Canadian probe into the Nijjar case, although it remains unclear whether the meeting between Jaishankar and Joly was facilitated by American involvement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not shied away from raising the Khalistan issue in conversations with leaders of the UAE and Jordan, using these discussions to exert pressure on India for cooperation in the ongoing investigations.
Initial reports indicated that the majority of Canada’s diplomats in India had been relocated to Singapore and Malaysia, but anonymous sources now suggest that only low-level diplomatic staff underwent the transfer. Official confirmation of a deadline for the downsizing of Canadian missions in India remains absent. Canada’s substantial diplomatic presence in India, largely attributed to its large consular section handling visas for family members and relatives of Canadians of Indian origin, adds complexity to the situation.
The root of the discord between India and Canada can be traced back to India’s request for parity in diplomatic presence, in response to which Canada invoked the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations to contest India’s argument.
