India’s relationship with Canada is going through a “difficult phase,” according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who stated on Sunday that New Delhi stopped providing visas because it was unsafe for its diplomats to travel to Canada for visa-issue purposes.
“The partnership is currently going through a challenging time. However, I do want to point out that the issues we face stem from a particular area of Canadian politics and the policies that follow from it. The main worry that individuals currently have is visas. We stopped providing visas in Canada a few weeks ago since it was becoming unsafe for our diplomats to travel for work in order to process visas. Therefore, the main reason we had to temporarily halt the issuance of visas was to ensure their safety and security, the minister stated.
Also read: S Jaishankar On Canadian Diplomats: “Continuous Interference In Our Affairs”
We’re keeping a careful eye on it. My assumption is that things will get better and our staff will feel more confident in their ability to carry out their fundamental responsibilities as diplomats. Since protecting diplomats’ safety and security is the Vienna Convention’s primary goal, he continued.
Amid heightened tensions between the two countries, India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals in September, with an indefinite suspension.
The idea that our citizens and diplomats are not safe has been contested in numerous ways in Canada at the moment. Therefore, I would very much like to resume the visa application process if we see progress there. Jaishankar continued, “My hope is that it will be something that happens very soon.
Also read: S Jaishankar On Canadian Diplomats: “Continuous Interference In Our Affairs”
The minister had previously given an explanation for India’s need to take a firm stand in order to achieve diplomatic parity with the country of North America. 41 of Canada’s diplomats had to leave the country by India’s deadline, or else they risked losing their diplomatic immunity.
According to Jaishankar, Canada’s “continuous interference” in India’s affairs was the reason India had to want diplomatic parity. The prime minister of Canada has denounced India’s strict measures, claiming they violate the Geneva Convention.
