India-Canada row : (Jaishankar On Visa Issue)The MPs, who appreciated India’s G20 presidency, sought answers on the India-Canada row, which has led to halting of visas for Canadians.
India-Canada row: On the visa issue, the External Affairs Minister said it was not a retaliatory measure, but one to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats.
New Delhi, 08 Oct (City Times): (News By R. Rajagopal.)(India-Canada row: Jaishankar On Visa Issue):In the midst of the ongoing diplomatic tension between India and Canada, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed concerns about the suspension of visas for Canadians during a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on October 7. While the primary agenda was India’s G20 Presidency, the suspension of visa services for Canadians prompted significant discussion among the MPs.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised several questions about the ongoing diplomatic stand-off between India and Canada. The MPs, who appreciated India’s G20 presidency, sought answers on the India-Canada row, which has led to halting of visas for Canadians.
Jaishankar On Visa Issue: India-Canada Visa Suspension not a retaliatory measure
On the visa issue, the EAM said it was not a retaliatory measure, but one to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats. Curtailing services is because Indian diplomats are not safe in Canada. It is not a permanent decision but one that is conditional, he said. On downsizing the Canadian mission in India, the EAM said New Delhi had been left with no choice except to do it. Canada wants full immunity for their diplomats while they continue to interfere in our internal affairs threatening our diplomats in the name of free speech there.
India-Canada row: Members Expressed concern over India-Canada Row In Parliamentary Consultative Committee
The MPs, during the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, wanted to know whether PM Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau had discussed the allegations of India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar. One of the MPs said that ordinary citizens would be affected by the India-Canada diplomatic row. An MP from Punjab, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, deplored the deteriorating India-Canada relations over the issue of Nijjar killing.
India-Canada row: Context and Clarification
Jaishankar sought to clarify the situation, emphasizing that the suspension of visas for Canadians is not a permanent decision but a conditional measure. He asserted that it is not a retaliatory action but a proactive step aimed at ensuring the safety of Indian diplomats stationed in Canada.
Safety Concerns
The suspension of visa services stems from genuine safety concerns for Indian diplomats in Canada. Jaishankar stated unequivocally that the situation is subject to change based on the safety and security conditions faced by Indian diplomatic personnel in Canada. He made it clear that if conditions improve and adequate security can be assured, the visa suspension could be lifted.
Diplomatic Parity
Jaishankar also discussed the need for parity in the treatment of diplomats between the two countries. He pointed out that Canada insists on full immunity for its diplomats while failing to provide adequate security for Indian diplomats in Canada. This asymmetry in treatment has been a point of contention, with Jaishankar noting that Canada allows billboards threatening Indian diplomats under the guise of freedom of speech.
Bilateral Tensions
The ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada stems from allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau claimed that Canadian security agencies were actively investigating possible links between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India vehemently rejected these allegations as baseless and absurd. As of now, Canada has not provided any public evidence to substantiate its claims regarding Nijjar’s killing.
Evacuation of Diplomats and Views Of Jaishankar On Visa Issue
Recent reports suggest that Canada has evacuated a significant portion of its diplomatic staff from India to other South Asian countries such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This evacuation comes as the Indian government set a deadline of October 10 for Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff in India to a level commensurate with the number of Indian diplomats in Canada. The move is seen as a response to Canada’s failure to adequately address India’s concerns and provide security assurances for Indian diplomatic personnel.
In conclusion, the suspension of visas for Canadians by India is a conditional measure aimed at ensuring the safety of Indian diplomats. Jaishankar emphasized that it is not a retaliatory action and could be lifted if security conditions improve. The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada revolve around unproven allegations and issues related to the treatment of diplomats. Canada’s evacuation of diplomatic staff from India further underscores the strained relations between the two countries.
This situation highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of diplomatic personnel stationed abroad. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen whether India and Canada can find common ground and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
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