Amid snowballing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the focus has shifted to the unequal diplomatic presence in both countries, which is in favour of Canada. While reports claim Canada has been asked to cut down its diplomatic presence in dozens, senior government officials said discussions were already underway on how to keep a proportionate count of diplomats on its soil, after it was noticed that there was a jarring dissimilarity with Indian diplomatic presence in Canada which is less than half.
Trudeau government’s decision to send an Indian diplomat back has miffed New Delhi, but that is not the reason why the numbers become important for the South Block.
While New Delhi had sent 25-30 accredited diplomats, Ottawa has around 107 accredited diplomats in India, which is a large number in comparison, said government sources. But this is not all. Sources disclosed the total Embassy strength along with the Consulate staff of Canada across cities goes up to nearly 400 persons which includes all the diplomatic staff and the staff at consulates in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
The Canadian embassy includes the Ambassador, two deputy High Commissioners, three ministers, 18 counsellors, 36 First Secretaries and 13 Second Secretaries, government sources disclosed . In addition, there is staff at the Consulates in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai which takes the total strength to hundreds.
There are unconfirmed reports that Canada will withdraw some diplomats as New Delhi is mulling revoking their diplomatic immunity. While there is no official word from the external affairs ministry on it yet , sources said even if the numbers get trimmed, they would remain in favour of Canada as compared to nearly half the size of Indian diplomatic presence on Canadian soil at the moment.
Government officials said the presence of accredited diplomats on Indian soil increased over the years as people to people contact grew. Many friendly countries like Canada sent more diplomats and the numbers grew in favour of Canada as compared to the Indian presence on Canadian soil.
The allegations levelled by the Trudeau government of Indian agents’ involvement in killing of a designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was followed by expelling of a senior Indian diplomat. Not only has New Delhi rubbished the allegation, it has raised concern over Canadian soil becoming a safe haven for terrorists and wanted criminals in India. The Indian diplomat sent back has an excellent record in serving at the Centre and states like Punjab and peers recall his commitment to serving in the interest of the country.
Achieving parity in diplomatic missions isn’t the goal of any country when the focus is improving bilateral relations and cooperation, said a security official. But there has been instances in the recent past when diplomatic relations are on a downward spiral that prompts such a move. It was the United States and Russia which started counting the diplomatic and consular annexes some years ago, even as the former said such actions are unwarranted and detrimental to the overall relationship between the two countries.