Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that the Indian government’s crackdown on Canadian diplomats is creating difficulties for people in both the countries.
His statement came a day after Canada withdrew 41 out of 62 diplomats living in India following India’s threat to unilaterally revoke their status.
Tensions between the two countries emerged after Prime Minister Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“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,” said the Canadian PM.
Addressing a press conference Mr Trudeau said, “it’s something that has me very concerned for the wellbeing and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the Indian subcontinent”.
The expulsion of the Canadian diplomats will create difficulties in trade and travel and will also affect the Indian studying and staying in Canada, he also said.
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Ministry has categorically denied that it has breached Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.
“The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa,” said the Ministry in its statement.
