America supports Canada in dispute with India over diplomats

US has come out in support of Canada on the issue of revocation of immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats by India.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "In response to the Government of Canada's demand to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India, we are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India."

India has rejected Canada's attempts to 'portray' the return of 41 Canadian diplomats from the country as a violation of international norms.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that ensuring two-way diplomatic equality is completely in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

India's comment came after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie announced the withdrawal of diplomats from India, in which she described New Delhi's action as 'contrary to international law' and a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Official sources said India's decision to bring parity was conveyed to Canada about a month ago and the date for implementation was October 10, but it was extended to October 20 because of the modalities for implementing parity.

However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that India's decision to revoke the immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats is a violation of the Vienna Convention. He said that all countries should be worried by this.

Trudeau's statement came hours after India rejected Canada's attempt to ensure parity in the number of diplomats as a violation of international norms.

The Canadian Prime Minister said, "This is something that all countries of the world should be very concerned about. It is our concern that the Indian government may be involved in the alleged murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil in serious violation of international law." Is denying the allegations.

Diplomatic tensions between the two sides had arisen after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year, and last month India recalled 41 of its diplomats from Canada. Said. India had also strongly rejected Canada's allegations.

After this, India and Canada expelled senior diplomats and issued travel advisory. Nijjar was declared a terrorist by India in 2020. On June 18, he was shot dead by masked gunmen in British Columbia.