No violation of Vienna Convention in seeking “parity” in diplomatic representation, India tells Canada

India denies violating Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; accuses Canada of interference in internal affairs & maintaining higher number of diplomats; Canada forced to stop in-person services at consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai & Bengaluru; Foreign Minister Joly vows investigation into Nijjar case will not be impacted.

India did not violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by asking 41 Canadian diplomats to be repatriated, the Ministry of External Affairs asserted on October 20, in response to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, who had accused India of violating diplomatic norms by seeking a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats posted in India. 

Ms. Joly had earlier announced that due to the reduced number of officials, Canada was forced to stop in-person services at its consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Such services will now be available only in the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.

“We have been engaged with the Canadian side on this over the last month in order to work out the details and modalities of its implementation. Our actions in implementing this parity are fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the MEA said, in a statement.

Accusing the Canadian government of maintaining a much higher number of diplomats in India, the MEA said that the reduction was necessitated by Canada’s “continued interference” in India’s internal affairs. “We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms,” the statement said.

Earlier, the Canadian Foreign Minister confirmed that Ottawa had acknowledged India’s move to take away diplomatic immunities from 41 Canadian diplomats, along with 42 dependents who were stationed in Delhi. “A unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunities is contrary to international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” Ms. Joly told the Canadian media.

“This action taken by India is completely unreasonable and escalatory. India accredited each and every one of the Canadian diplomats they are now expelling. And all of those diplomats were carrying out their duties in good faith, and to the greater benefit of both countries,” she added.

Ms. Joly also announced that the reduction in the number of diplomats would hit the Canadian consular, with in-person services becoming unavailable at its consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. “We will now be forced to pause temporarily all in-person services at consulates, until further notice. India’s decision will impact levels of services to citizens of both countries,” she said.