“We Expect India To Uphold…”: US And UK Support Canada In Diplomatic Row With India

The United States and Britain have jointly called upon India not to insist on Canada reducing its diplomatic presence in India and have expressed concern over Canada’s withdrawal of 41 diplomats, which arose from a dispute related to the murder of a Sikh separatist.

Canada has accused India of involvement in the June murder of Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb. However, India has consistently denied these allegations.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller voiced their concerns about the departure of Canadian diplomats from India. He stated, “Resolving differences requires diplomats on the ground. We have urged the Indian government not to insist upon a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence and to cooperate in the ongoing Canadian investigation. We expect India to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including with respect to privileges and immunities enjoyed by accredited members of Canada’s diplomatic mission.”

Washington has expressed that it takes Canada’s allegations seriously and, in conjunction with London, urged India to collaborate with Canada in the murder investigation. However, Western powers have been cautious about openly condemning India.

It is worth noting that the United States and the United Kingdom aim to maintain positive relations with India, considering it as a significant counterbalance to their primary Asian rival, China.

Nonetheless, the statements issued on Friday by the US State Department and Britain’s Foreign Office constitute the most explicit criticism to date by Washington and London toward New Delhi regarding this particular case.

A spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign Office emphasized their disagreement with the Indian government’s decisions that led to the departure of Canadian diplomats. They also highlighted that such unilateral actions that remove the privileges and immunities safeguarding the safety and security of diplomats are not in accordance with the principles or effective functioning of the Vienna Convention.

In response to these developments, Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats from India and temporarily suspended in-person operations at consulates in several Indian cities, warning of potential visa processing delays.