October 7, 2023
1 min read

Sunak Calls for Calm Amid India-Canada Strain

In a call with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday evening, Sunak reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that he hoped to see a de-escalation in diplomatic tensions between India and Canada after New Delhi asked Ottawa to withdraw its 41 diplomats by October 10 amid worsening ties.

In a call with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday evening, Sunak reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law.

“The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” a government statement read.

Trudeau updated Sunak on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India, and both leaders “agreed to remain in contact on the next steps”.

Relations between Canada and India have nosedived after Trudeau alleged in Parliament last month that Indian intelligence agents may have been involved in the murder of Sikh pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Following Trudeau’s allegations, the two nations expelled a diplomat each, and India termed Canada’s allegations as “politically driven” and “absurd”.

Recently, New Delhi asked Ottawa to withdraw 41 out of its 62 diplomats in India to achieve a parity in the number of diplomatic staff in each country.

According to a CTV News report, Canada has evacuated the majority of its diplomatic staff from India and shifted them to either Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) or Singapore.

However, there has been no official word on their evacuation from New Delhi.

The news comes amid claims by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly on Tuesday that the government was engaged diplomatically with India on the issue of staff reduction.

“We are in contact with the government of India. We take Canadian diplomats’ safety very seriously, and we will continue to engage privately because we think that diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private,” Jolie had said.

ALSO READ: Canada Seeks Private Talks with India to Resolve Diplomatic Dispute

Previous Story

In Historic First, India Crosses 100-Medal Mark in Asian Games

Next Story

‘Crude Price Surge Puts Pressure on Indian Oil Companies’

Latest from -Top News

Top Indian Officials Head to Washington

The visit, likely next week, follows US President Trump’s claims that his administration helped broker the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News Top sources revealed on Sunday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

India, Canada Discuss Enhancing Diplomatic Relations

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for deepening economic cooperation with India….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his first phone call with Canadian counterpart Anita Anand,

Ramaphosa gains from US showdown

South African President’s conduct with Trump reminded South Africans of his diplomatic pedigree, and of his importance to the country’s rules-based order South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation went to
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian Classical Arts Celebrated Across UK

Key performances at the Autumn Cultural Festival 2024 included the

King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition