After suspending visa processes for Canadians, New Delhi wants Ottawa to recall more than two dozen of its diplomats from India, according to top government sources.
Top government sources also said Canada cannot be “given free hand” as their non-cooperation in terror investigations is one of the main reasons why New Delhi is heading towards taking the decision to downsize Canada’s diplomatic presence in India. “Their top officials (Canada’s) come and meet and promise, but don’t deliver.”
Sources say the final decision has not been taken yet in the matter, but the discussion has been taking place for almost two weeks now.
The latest development means that New Delhi does not see any high strength diplomatic requirement from its Canadian counterpart in India.
India had earlier asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country after suspending visas for Canadians.
The relations between both the countries are seeing an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in his Parliament the involvement of a “foreign agent” in the killing of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He even alleged that he has intelligence inputs and evidence that the Indian government could be behind Nijjar’s death.
Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18. He was the chief of banned Khalistan Tiger Force, and was designated a terrorist by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2020. Interpol had also issued red corner notice against him quite a few times, the first one being in 2016.
The external affairs ministry had said on September 21 that there was a “degree of prejudice” involved in Canada’s allegations against India. “No specific information was shared by Canada on this case (Nijjar case). We are willing to look at specific information. From our side, specific information regarding criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil was shared but has not been acted upon,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a press conference in New Delhi that day.
He also said Canada’s diplomatic presence in India was higher compared to India’s in Canada. “There should be parity in strength”, he had said earlier.
He also said all categories of visas have been suspended. The issue is not about travel but incitement of violence and “inaction by the Canadian government”. Only those with valid visas and OCI cards can “travel freely”, he stressed.
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