In retaliation for Canada linking India with the killing of a B.C. man, the Indian government has now put a stop to the processing of visas for Canadians and says it requested a reduction of Canadian diplomats in the country.
“We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalents ... in mutual diplomatic presence,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters on Sept. 21.
Mr. Bagchi held a 45-minute press conference with Indian reporters asking almost exclusively about Canada.
Meanwhile, Ottawa said it decided to reduce the number of its diplomats in India over security considerations.
“With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India,” said Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Marilyne Guèvremont.
“As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.”
Mr. Bagchi justified the request by citing “diplomatic interference” by Canada in India’s domestic affairs but said he would not share details publicly.
In either case, this marks a further deterioration of relations between Canada and India.
Relations took a bad turn when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited India earlier this month and told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi his government was suspected of involvement in the killing of Sikh secessionist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., last June.
The rift was aggravated when Mr. Trudeau rose in the House of Commons on Sept. 18 and publicly accused India, citing “credible allegations” being pursued by Canadian security agencies.
In response, India has also stopped processing any kind of visas from Canadians, including applications made from third countries.
“You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning,” said Mr. Bagchi to justify the measure.
“The issue is of incitement to violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates: that’s what’s making us stop temporarily the issuance of visas or providing visa services.”
The moves by India follow a tit-for-that expulsion of a Canadian diplomat on Sept. 19. The day prior, Canada had declared the head of India’s intelligence service in Canada persona non grata.
Mr. Bagchi says the Canadian government’s allegations were made with a “degree of prejudice” and appear to be “primarily politically driven.”
He added that Ottawa has shared “no specific information” on the allegations with India.
“We have conveyed this to the Canadians and made it clear to them that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us.”
Meanwhile “very specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals, based on Canadian soil, has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis, but not been acted upon,” said Mr. Bagchi. New Delhi has long complained that Canada is a safe haven for anti-India activities.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has also called on Mr. Trudeau to release more facts about the allegations before commenting further on whether India should be sanctioned.
The Canadian government is likely reticent to share the information, which appears to come from intelligence and hence could jeopardize sources.
Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc said this week that Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault travelled to India in recent months to discuss the situation with Indian security officials.
