India - Canada standoff - US expresses 'concern' over India's demand to reduce Canadian diplomatic presence
The US has warned the indian government not to push for a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence, voicing worries over the departure of 41 Canadian diplomats from India. A spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, said during a news conference on friday that "we are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from india in response to the indian government's demand that canada significantly reduces its diplomatic presence in India."
The indian government was also encouraged by the US to assist with the current Canadian inquiry. Miller stated, "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," acknowledging that settling disputes involves diplomats on the ground.
Miller further added that the US expect india to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. "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," he stated.
The indian government was also encouraged by the US to assist with the current Canadian inquiry. Miller stated, "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," acknowledging that settling disputes involves diplomats on the ground.
Miller further added that the US expect india to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. "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," he stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs had demanded earlier this month that the number of Canadian diplomats stationed in india be reduced, citing the diplomats' ongoing "interference" in "internal matters" in New Delhi. "We have sought parity in our respective diplomatic presence," MEA spokeswoman Arindam Bagchi said during the october 5 press conference. "Given the much higher presence of diplomats or diplomatic presence here...and their continued interference in our internal matters." Negotiations are still going on about how to do this.