Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government has reduced the number of local staff at its missions across India, slightly over five months after Ottawa withdrew 41, or more than two-thirds, of its diplomats in October last year.
Why Canada has slashed staff in Indian missions?
Canada has cited shortage of Canadian supervisory personnel required for the effective management of operations in India as the reason for reduction of diplomatic personnel in High Commission in New Delhi and the three consulate in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru.
“I can confirm that the Government of Canada has implemented some staff reductions across our network of missions in India. The decision to implement reductions across our network of missions in India was sadly necessary given the reduction of Canadian staff available to effectively manage and maintain in-country operations,” an official from the Canadian High Commission said.
A media relations official at the high commission also said the decision was taken in the aftermath of the withdrawal of the Canadian diplomats in October 2023.
Last October, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi demanded “parity” over diplomatic representation as it lashed out at allegations by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian agents had been behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist and a Canadian national, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Will operations in Canada High Commission in India be affected?
The High Commission official said, “Canada will continue to deliver core services to Canadians in India, including consular support and for trade and business development – so that the citizens of our two countries can continue to benefit from the longstanding ties between Canadians and Indians.”
“We can also confirm that Canada’s visa application centres in India are operating as normal,” the official added.
“We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the resilience, dedication and service of our local staff in India,” the official said.
How many staff are there now?
Though no specific number of local staff who have been laid off has been disclosed this time, it is being said that the count is significant.
India-Canada ties
The diplomatic ties between India and Canada hit a new low after Trudeau, in September last year, accused the Indian government officials’ involvement in the murder of Nijjar in the Vancouver area in June 2023.
The Canada’s PM reiterated his concerns about the Nijjar case during his testimony before a committee investigating allegations of foreign interference in Canadian affairs. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
“Our government remains steadfast in ensuring that anyone coming to Canada enjoys the rights and freedoms of a Canadian citizen, free from extortion, coercion, or interference from their country of origin. Our actions, including addressing the serious case of Nijjar’s murder, underscore our dedication to defending the rights and freedoms that many have sought by coming to Canada,” Trudeau said.
During the hearing, Trudeau also said his government defends the rights of citizens to “speak out” even if it irritates the Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi.
He also accused the previous Conservative government in Canada of being “cosy” with Narendra Modi and his cabinet of ministers.
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In his testimony, Trudeau was asked whether appropriate steps were not taken to expose foreign interference, to which he said: “I think that’s certainly a question one needs to ask of the previous conservative government that was known for its very cosy relationship with the current Indian government.”
“Whereas our government has always stood up to defend minorities in Canada and the rights of minorities to speak out, even if it irritates their home countries overseas,” he added.
With inputs from agencies
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Trudeau does it again, pulls out Indian staffers from Canadian missions across India
