Canada Withdraws 41 Diplomats From India, Here Is How It Could Affect Students, Others Seeking Migration

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has confirmed that the country has withdrawn a total of 41 diplomatic staff from its mission in India following the breakdown of bilateral ties between the two sides over the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The development came after India asked Canada to withdraw its diplomatic staff by October 20, failing which their diplomatic immunity would be withdrawn.

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Why Canada has withdrawn diplomats

"I can confirm that India has formally conveyed its plan to unilaterally remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20," Joly said on Thursday.

"This means 41 Canadian diplomats and their 42 dependents were in danger of having immunity stripped on an arbitrary date, and this would put their personal safety at risk," she said.

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"The safety of Canadians and of our diplomats is always my top concern. Given the implications of India's actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India," Joly said. "This means that our diplomats and their families have now left."

How many diplomats Canada has left in India

With this, Canada has been left with 21 diplomats in India, at par with the strength of the Indian Mission in Ottawa.

Last month, following the strain in the relations between the two sides, India had asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence.

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Who are the diplomats left

Those left are considered core staff, who will remain focused on the current challenging diplomatic situation, as well as trade and business files. According to officials, commercial programming for businesses will continue, but at reduced capacity, and Canada continues to employ locally engaged staff.

While the Indian government has taken a tough stand and made its point clear by forcing Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff, the move will likely affect thousands of Indian nationals.

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Why this could affect Indians more

With its staff count reduced, Canada will be pausing all in-person services at the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru and is now directing all Canadians in India to the High Commission in New Delhi.

Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller said the move will impact the level of service delivery Canada will be able to provide in India.

Miller noted that in 2022, India was the top country for permanent residents, temporary foreign workers, and international students in Canada, and so the government recognises the impacts that will be felt.

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"I want to reassure our clients in India and Canadians who have family and friends in India that Canada will continue to accept and process all temporary and permanent resident applications from India," he said, adding that it may just take longer.

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