International Desk: The United Kingdom has shown its disagreement with India’s action after the India-Canada standoff which resulted in the departure of 41 Canadian diplomats from India and called for resolution of differences through discussion.
In a press statement on Friday, UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said, “Resolving differences requires communication and diplomats in respective capitals. We do not agree with the decisions taken by the Indian government that have resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India.”
UK further emphasised that the UK expect India to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Noting the removal of immunities of diplomats, it said, “We expect all states to uphold their obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles or the effective functioning of the Vienna Convention.”
The statement read further, “We continue to encourage India to engage with Canada on its independent investigation into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that no international norms were violated in India seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
Canada had accused India of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Thursday that Canada has removed 41 diplomats and their 42 dependants from India amid the ongoing row between the two countries. “We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms,” the MEA said.
However, later on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said the Indian government’s decision to revoke the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats is making normal life difficult for millions of people in both countries, Canada-based television network Global News reported.
“The Indian government is making it unbelievably difficult for life as usual to continue for millions of people in India and in Canada. And they’re doing it by contravening a very basic principle of diplomacy,” Trudeau told reporters at a televised press conference in Brampton, Ontario.