UK PM Rishi Sunak hopeful of de-escalation in India-Canada tensions in lines with Khalistan

UK PM Rishi Sunak spoke to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday (Oct 6) evening during which he was updated on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India.

NewsBharati 09-Oct-2023 16:23:53 PM

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London, Oct 9: During a telephonic conversation with his Canadian counterpart, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak demanded for a de-escalation of the India-Canada row, among several other subjects discussed.

According to a Downing Street statement, UK PM Rishi Sunak spoke to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday (Oct 6) evening during which he was updated on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India. "He (Rishi Sunak) hoped to see a de-escalation in the situation and agreed to remain in contact with Prime Minister Trudeau on the next steps," read the statement.

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Sunak also reaffirmed the UK's position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Meanwhile, Trudeau updated on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India. The diplomatic ties between India and Canada deteriorated after the Canadian government expelled a senior Indian diplomat accusing India of playing a role in the assassination of a Khalistani separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Canada readout of Trudeau -Sunak talks: Prime Minister Trudeau provided an update on the current situation between Canada and India. The leaders emphasized respect for the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations https://t.co/ISuUDbOdpV pic.twitter.com/ekXOewYM1g
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 8, 2023

In the aftermath, India swiftly retaliated by issuing a statement that denied any involvement in the issue and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat. Moreover, amid escalating tensions, India called for parity in the number of Canadian diplomats in India. Responding to reports claiming that India has asked Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Canadian diplomatic presence is much higher in India and they assume "there would be reduction".

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"On discussions on parity, given the much higher presence of diplomats or diplomatic presence here and their interference in our internal matters, we have sought parity in our respective diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing to achieve this. Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.