US, UK express concern as 41 Canadian diplomats leave India

The US and UK have joined Five Eyes partner Canada in urging India not to insist on a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence and have expressed concern over Ottawa's withdrawal of 41 diplomats amid the dispute over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian government's demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday.

In a near simultaneous statement, a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said, "We do not agree with the decisions taken by the Indian government that have resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India."


Washington has said it took Canada's allegations seriously and, along with London, urged India to cooperate with Ottawa in the murder probe even as Western powers have been reluctant to openly condemn India given their growing strategic ties with New Delhi.

However, Friday's statements from the US State Department and Britain's Foreign Office have been the most direct criticism by Washington and London of New Delhi thus far in this case.

"Resolving differences requires diplomats on the ground. We have urged the Indian government not to insist upon a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence and to cooperate in the ongoing Canadian investigation," the State Department said, adding that it expects "India to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

Britain's Foreign Office also cited the Vienna Convention and said, "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."

It is interesting that the UK has sought to issue this statement ahead of a proposed visit by British prime minister Rishi Sunak to New Delhi in the coming weekend. India had earlier read the riot act to the UK due to activities of Khalistani terrorists including targeting the High Commission and diplomats.

Meanwhile, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on Friday went on the defensive and said India's moves against the Canadian diplomats was making normal life difficult for millions of people in both countries.

"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 said.

Around two million Canadians, 5% of the overall population, have Indian heritage. India is by far Canada's largest source of global students, making up for roughly 40% of study permit holders.

Canada now has 21 diplomats in India and it claims that its reduced strength will impact visa services in consulates outside New Delhi.