UK PM Sunak Speaks To Trudeau, 'Hopes To See De-Escalation' In India-Canada Diplomatic Row

UK PM Rishi Sunak was briefed by his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the situation concerning Canadian diplomats in India. As per Downing Street, Sunak said that he "hoped to see a de-escalation in the situation".

File Photo: New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, Sept. 9, 2023.

Source : PTI

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have jointly emphasised the significance of de-escalating the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada while upholding the rule of law. The leaders discussed this pressing matter during a recent telephone conversation, primarily centered on the standoff ignited by the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada back in June.

A statement from Downing Street outlined the key points of the conversation, where UK Prime Minister Sunak was briefed by his Canadian counterpart on the situation concerning Canadian diplomats in India. Both leaders concurred on the necessity of maintaining communication, with Sunak reaffirming the United Kingdom's commitment to respecting the rule of law. This reaffirmation came in response to Canada's allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of pro-Khalistan Nijjar. 

"The Prime Minister [Sunak] reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He hoped to see a de-escalation in the situation and agreed to remain in contact with Prime Minister Trudeau on the next steps,” the Downing Street statement noted, as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, from Ottawa, echoed these sentiments in their own statement. Trudeau and Sunak underlined the importance of adhering to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and ensuring the safety and security of their citizens, PTI reported. They stressed the need for de-escalation in the current context and pledged to maintain close communication while collaborating on global issues.

This conversation occurred in the aftermath of Trudeau's statement in the Canadian Parliament, wherein he asserted that Canadian security forces were actively pursuing credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. India strongly refuted these allegations, denouncing them as "absurd and motivated."

The repercussions of this diplomatic row reached the UK when the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was prevented from visiting Glasgow Gurdwara in Scotland last week by pro-Khalistan extremists. This incident raised concerns about the safety of foreign diplomats and access to places of worship in the UK.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK Foreign Office minister for Indo-Pacific, expressed her concern, stating, "The safety and security of foreign diplomats is of utmost importance, and our places of worship in the UK must be open to all."

Meanwhile, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed its ongoing efforts to address security concerns. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi emphasized the importance of these discussions and reiterated the safety of Indian diplomats and the Sikh community.

India has also called on Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country to achieve parity in strength and alleged that some Canadian diplomats have been interfering in India's internal matters. Bagchi indicated that discussions regarding mutual diplomatic presence are ongoing, emphasising India's firm stance on the matter.

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