Canada’s Reduction of Diplomats Impacts Indian Visa Applications

Canada's Reduction of Diplomats Impacts Indian Visa Applications

VoM News Desk | October 20, 2023 | 03:23 PM IST | World | Follow on Google News

Canada’s Reduction of Diplomats Impacts Indian Visa Applications .

Canada’s Reduction of Diplomats Impacts Indian Visa Applications

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Indian visa applications may experience slowdowns after Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India amidst the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic standoff. The move follows India’s decision to unilaterally remove immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents in Delhi, set for October 20, 2023. IRCC is reducing its workforce in India from 27 to 5, which is expected to affect processing times.

Due to the reduction in Canadian diplomatic staff in India, Indian citizens are likely to face delays in overall processing times, responses to inquiries, and the issuance of visas or passport returns.

Canada’s Assurances and Focus on Diplomatic Parity

Canadian authorities have assured that Canada-based IRCC staff in India will manage the necessary day-to-day work. While a large majority of Indian applications are already processed outside the country, the remaining Canada-based IRCC staff in India will focus on tasks requiring an in-country presence.

Canada Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed the removal of 41 diplomats and 42 family members from India. This action comes after India’s call for a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats in India to achieve ‘parity’ amid the ongoing diplomatic row. The removal was prompted by India’s intention to remove diplomatic immunities, which Canada deemed unethical and potentially harmful to their diplomats.

Concerns Over Diplomatic Immunity and Its Implications

Joly emphasized the importance of diplomatic immunity, calling it a fundamental principle of diplomacy. She stated that a unilateral revocation of diplomatic privilege and immunities is contrary to international law and a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Canada will not reciprocate.

The reduction of diplomatic staff is expected to impact services to citizens in both Canada and India. In-person services in Canadian consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore are temporarily suspended. Consular assistance can still be obtained through the High Commission in Delhi via phone and email.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs had called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India due to their perceived interference in Indian internal matters. The aim is to achieve diplomatic parity in terms of presence and strength.

Recent Diplomatic Tensions

Recent tensions between India and Canada arose after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government was involved in the fatal shooting of designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar. India denied these claims, considering them absurd and motivated. Canada has not provided public evidence to support the allegations.

This diplomatic row has led to changes in diplomatic representation and is likely to affect various consular services in both countries.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.