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
|
