Canada India Row: Canada removed 41 diplomats from India, IRCC said - there will be a slowdown in Indian visa applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Thursday said there will be a slowdown in Indian visa applications after Canada expelled 41 of its diplomats from India amid the ongoing India-Canada standoff.

Following India's intention to unilaterally remove the exemption for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi until October 20, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is suspending its staff in India, an IRCC press statement said. Reducing the number 27 to 5.

There will be a delay in getting the visa and passport back

IRCC will continue to accept and process applications from India, but reduced staffing levels are expected to impact processing times.

Additionally, the statement said that due to the shortage of Canadian diplomatic staff in India, Indian citizens will face delays in overall processing time, responses to inquiries, and in getting visas or their passports back.

Meanwhile, Canadian officials have assured that Canada-based IRCC staff in India will carry out essential everyday tasks in the country.

5 employees of IRCC will remain in India

Most of India's applications have already been processed outside the country, with 89% of India's applications processed through the global network, the statement said.

The five Canada-based IRCC staff who will remain in India will focus on work that requires presence in the country such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and overseeing key partners. Is included.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie announced on Thursday (local time) that Canada has expelled 41 diplomats and 42 of their family members from India over the ongoing dispute between the two countries.

Confirming the departure of the Canadian diplomats, Jolie said, "I can confirm that India has formalized its plan to unceremoniously lift diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20." It has been explained clearly.

This meant that 41 Canadian diplomats and 42 of their dependents were at risk of being granted immunity at an arbitrary date and this would put their safety at risk.

This came as India called for reducing the number of Canadian diplomats in India, calling for 'equity' due to the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

Keep diplomats safe – Canadian Foreign Minister

The Canadian Foreign Minister said, we have facilitated their safe departure to India. This means that our diplomats and their families have now given up diplomatic immunity. Keep diplomats safe, no matter where they come from and where they are sent. Immunity allows diplomats to do their work without fear of reprisal or arrest from the country where they are.

Those are the fundamental principles of diplomacy and it's a two-way street. They work only when every country follows the rules.

Unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunities is contrary to international law. This is a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and threatening to do so is inappropriate.

No diplomat anywhere on the planet will be safe if we allow the norms of diplomatic immunity to be breached, he said, according to CTV News, adding that Canada will not retaliate.

Along with Mark Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Minister made announcements about developments on the situation with India and how it will impact the level of service delivery offered by Canada following the return of diplomats.

Civil services in both countries will be affected

There is no doubt that India's decision will impact the level of services provided to citizens in both countries, he said. Unfortunately, we have had to suspend all in-person services at our Consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

"Canadians who require consular assistance can still visit our High Commission in Delhi and you can still do so in person, via phone and email," he said.

Earlier, while saying that India's focus is on achieving 'parity' in terms of diplomatic presence, the Foreign Ministry called for reducing the number of Canadian diplomats in India citing their continued interference in New Delhi's internal affairs. did.

“Given that the Canadian diplomatic presence is greater, we would assume there would be a reduction,” he said.

India's primary focus is on two things- Bagchi

Asked whether the reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats could see a reduction in the number of visas issued by the Canadian High Commission in India, Bagchi said, it is up to the Canadian side as to who they want to appoint to the High Commission. Are. Our concerns relate to ensuring parity in diplomatic presence.

He further said that India's primary focus is on two things; To have an environment in Canada where Indian diplomats can function properly and achieve parity in terms of diplomatic power.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India.

However, India rejected these claims outright and termed them as 'absurd'. Notably, Canada has not yet provided any public evidence to support the claim that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered.

Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was shot outside a gurudwara in a parking area in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on June 18.

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