New Delhi: While reiterating that the demand for ‘parity’ in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country was in compliance with international rules, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday, October 12, dodged questions about a “secret meeting” between Indian and Canadian foreign ministers last month.
Relations between India and Canada have nose-dived since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that there were “credible allegations” that Indian government was involved in the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national.
After both countries had expelled a diplomat each, India had also stopped visa operations for Canadians and asked Ottawa to withdraw a large number diplomats from its missions. On Wednesday, October 11, The Financial Times reported that external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and foreign minister Melanie Joly had met in Washington in September. He had been in the US capital from September 27 to 30, after a five-day visit to New York.
“As for the query about reports of meeting between External Affairs Minister and his Canadian counterpart, let me say that we have been in touch with the Canadians at various levels. Regarding any specific interaction, I don’t have any particular information to share,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, refusing to confirm or deny whether such a meeting had taken place.
Meanwhile, India reiterated its demand for “parity” in the number of diplomats posted in each other’s countries and dismissed Canadian argument that there was no such provision in the 1961 treaty. “We would urge Canada to take more seriously their international obligations to provide security to our diplomats and their premises. From our part, I can assure you that everything India is doing is in compliance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations”.
The MEA indicated that the process of downsizing for Canadian missions in India has not yet been completed, as talks are still going on.
“Let me stress that we remain committed to what we said, that is ensuring parity in our diplomatic presence. We remain engaged with Canadian authorities on the modalities of achieving that,” he said.
Over the last few days, Canadian prime minister had been talking to a number of West Asian leaders over the developments in the region. In his conversations with leaders of UAE and Jordan, he talked of the dispute with India and the need to adhere to international law.
Criticising Canada raising the controversy with other leaders, MEA spokesperson said, “Look, I don’t know really how this helps address the core issue. And what is the core issue? The space given by Canada to terrorists and criminal elements”.
Bagchi also urged Canada to “take more seriously their international obligation to provide security to our diplomats and their premises”. To questions about the absence of the Canadian speaker at the P-20 in New Delhi, he said, “We invite all members for G20 events, in this case the P20. Participation is their decision and is subject to a number of factors. I think you should ask them”.
Newly-elected Speaker Raymonde Gagne will not attend the two-day meeting of parliamentary speakers’ of the G20 major economies.
Source: The Wire
