NEW DELHI: New Delhi said on Thursday (Sep 21) it is seeking the reduction of Canadian diplomatic staff in India and has stopped visa services, as a row over the killing of a Sikh separatist deepens.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded India treat with “utmost seriousness” allegations that Indian agents played a role in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver.
The fallout prompted tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and a forceful denial from India, which said any suggestion it played a role in Nijjar’s killing was “absurd”.
The allegation has sent already strained relations between the world’s most populous country and G7 member Canada to a new low.
“We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity” in diplomatic presence, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters.
“Their numbers here are very much higher than ours in Canada … I assume there will be a reduction.”
New Delhi also said it had stopped handling visa applications in Canada, blaming “security threats” which they said were “disrupting” the work of their officials.
“For now, the security situation in Canada and because of Canadian government inaction, we have stopped visa services temporarily”, Bagchi said.
“THREATS”
Hours earlier, Canada’s High Commission said it would “adjust” diplomat numbers in India after “threats on various social media” against their staff.
“In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats,” Canada’s mission said in a statement.
“As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.”
Source: CNA
