India recalled its High Commissioner and expelled Canadian diplomats amidst diplomatic dispute | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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India recalled its High Commissioner and expelled Canadian diplomats amidst diplomatic dispute

Posted 15 Oct 2024

Updated 16 Oct 2024

2 min read

Canada asked India to waive off diplomatic immunity to its officials alleging their involvement in an investigative matter, which India considered preposterous. 

  • Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law as per which foreign government officials are not subject to jurisdiction of local courts and other authorities for both their official and personal activities. 
  • Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 extends privileges and immunities to diplomatic staff. 
    • India acceded to it in 1965 and ratified in 1972 through Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act of 1972

Recent Fallout in India- Canada Relations

  • Issue of Khalistani Extremists: Sikh separatist groups supported by Canada have been a strain on relations causing diplomatic fallout. 
  • Indian sovereignty: Despite repeated cautions from India, Canada’s support of Khalistani activities like unofficial referendum on forming an independent Sikh state in 2023 is an attack on India’s sovereignty.
  • Security cooperation: Multiple extradition requests from Government of India in respect of terrorists and organized crime leaders living in Canada have been disregarded.
  • Defunct Agreements: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement have seen no progress. 
  • Vote bank politics: Sikh community (especially in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia), form key vote bank for political parties, particularly Liberal Party.

India-Canada Relations

An infographic image providing a visual representation of Canada map. It shows Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
  • Bilateral trade in goods: Showed declining trend in 2023 (USD 7.65 billion from USD 10.50 billion in 2022).
  • Consular Matters: Signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in 1994 and Extradition Treaty in 1987. 
  • Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Signed in 2010 under which Joint Committee on Civil Nuclear Cooperation was instituted. 
  • Space: ISRO, launched its 100th Satellite from PSLV in 2018, also flew Canadian first LEO (Low earth Orbit) satellite.
  • Tags :
  • India-Canada
  • Diplomatic Immunity
  • Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961
  • Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act of 1972
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