Talks On Diplomats With India “In Private”: Canada Minister Amid Face-Off

New Delhi: In a move towards defusing tension with India, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Ottawa is not looking to “escalate”. His government has indicated they are holding “private” talks to maintain a “strong diplomatic footprint” in India.

Here are 10 facts from this big story

1. Trudeau, who sparked the diplomatic face-off by alleging the Indian government’s role in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, was speaking to the media after the Financial Times reported that India wants 41 out of the 62 Canadian diplomats out of the country.
2. The Canada Prime Minister did not confirm the report. CBC news reported that to a question on whether Canada will ask India to remove diplomats, he said, “We’re not looking to escalate, as I’ve said, we’re going to be doing the work that matters in continuing to have constructive relations with India through this extremely difficult time.”
3. Speaking on the same issue, Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa believes in having a “strong diplomatic footprint” in India. “We are in contact with the government of India. Global News quoted her as saying, “We value the safety of Canadian diplomats greatly, and we will persist in private engagement, as we believe diplomatic discussions are most effective when kept confidential.
4. “In moments of tensions – because indeed there are tensions between both our governments more than ever – it’s important that diplomats be on the ground, and that’s why we believe in the importance of having a strong diplomatic footprint in India,” she added.
5. In June, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead by masked gunmen in British Columbia. The 45-year-old was a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
6. A couple of weeks back, Trudeau alleged India’s role in Nijjar’s killing. “Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” he said, adding, “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.”
7. This set off a diplomatic storm. India termed the allegations “absurd” and “motivated”. This was followed by both sides expelled senior diplomats and issuing travel advisories. While the Indian government has not yet responded to the Financial Times report on asking Canadian diplomats to leaves, it had earlier called for “parity” in number and rank of diplomats each country deploys.
8.  Trudeau’s big charge against India came shortly after his trip to New Delhi for the G20 summit. During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed a robust message, articulating “serious concerns regarding the persistent anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada.” He raised these concerns on the sidelines of the summit. In response, Trudeau said his country “will always defend freedom of expression”. He also said that “it is important to remember the actions of the few do not represent Canada”.

9. John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, informed reporters that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the need to investigate the Canadian government’s allegations when they met last week. The US has emphasized the importance of probing these claims. “We’ll certainly leave it to those two countries to talk about their bilateral relationship.”

10. “Kirby added, “We’ve clearly stated that these allegations are serious and require a thorough investigation. As we’ve emphasized previously, we encourage India to actively engage in this inquiry.” According to a report in The Washington Post, Canadian officials had sought public condemnation of Nijjar’s murder from allies ahead of the G20 summit, including the US, but found them reluctant.