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Canadian diplomats have not left India after the deadline set by New Delhi...

Canadian diplomats have not left India after the deadline set by New Delhi...

By Omayma othmani

Published: October 11, 2023

The Financial Times reported that the Canadian diplomats, whom the Indian government requested to withdraw from New Delhi, are still present in India due to communications between the two countries to contain the situation.

The Indian Foreign Ministry had previously announced a reduction of Canada's diplomatic presence in India, asking New Delhi for the Canadian side to recall 41 diplomats, threatening to strip them of diplomatic immunity after the specified deadline.

For his part, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated last week that Ottawa is trying to resolve the crisis privately, emphasizing "the importance of having a senior diplomat in India." According to the Financial Times, Joly held an informal meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The newspaper notes that the Indian embassy in Ottawa did not respond to a request for comment on the progress made in negotiations between the two countries.

Relations had soured between Canada and India since Ottawa decided on September 18 to expel one of India's senior diplomats due to allegations that Indian intelligence was involved in the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada, while the Canadian Foreign Minister stated that this diplomat is a representative of Indian intelligence, warning that Canada would not tolerate interference in its affairs.

Subsequently, the Indian Foreign Ministry summoned Canadian Ambassador Cameron Mackay, announcing a reciprocal decision from New Delhi, while the Indian Foreign Ministry believes that Canadian politicians are publicly sympathizing with the separatists in Khalistan who are calling for the separation of Punjab from India and the establishment of what is called a "Khalistan state." The Indian embassy in Ottawa halted the issuance of visas following this crisis, and Indian citizens were advised to avoid traveling to Canada.

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