'Reject Attempt To Show Parity Measures As Norms Violation': MEA After Canada's Remarks On Action On Diplomats

The Ministry of External Affairs responded to Canada's remark on the action taken by India against Canadian diplomats in India.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

Source : PTI

Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs responded to Canada's remark on the action taken by India against Canadian diplomats in India. In a statement, the MEA said, "We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms."  

"We have seen the Statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India. 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 statement read.

Parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India:https://t.co/O1fqsrOx8n pic.twitter.com/WxJojOrr5D

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) October 20, 2023

This comes after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that India revoked the diplomatic immunity of 41 diplomats, which she said is “contrary to international law”. She also said that Canada did not plan to retaliate in kind, so as to not "aggravate the situation."

"Revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 diplomats is not only unprecedented but also contrary to international law," Joly said. This comes as Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats and their 42 family members from India. Melanie Joly said India planned to "unethically" revoke diplomatic immunity for all but 21 of Canada's diplomats and their families by Friday, forcing Ottawa to pull out the others, as reported by the news agency AFP.

Joly's remarks came after India suspended visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India, calling for 'parity', due to the diplomatic row between the two countries. The diplomatic rift began when Trudeau made unprecedented allegations against India during a speech in the House of Commons. He attributed the June murder of pro-Khalistan ideologue Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia to Indian agents.