Winter is coming. The Game of Thrones reference could easily be applied to the India-Canada relationship, as well as the change of season. With India hanging firmly on parity between the two countries for diplomatic staff, the Canadian mission in Delhi is likely to see an exodus.
“Given the much higher presence of diplomats or diplomatic presence here and their interference in our internal matters, we have sought parity in our respective diplomatic presence,’’ said spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi. Discussions are ongoing to achieve this. Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction.”
The deadline, according to a report in the Financial Times, is October 10. However, so far, the MEA did not mention any date, nor was there any clarity on how many diplomats would need to leave. Reports suggest 41.
A fallout of the reduction of the staff in the mission could have an impact on visa processing. And Canada is certainly likely to use the immense people to people connection to pressure India.
“Obviously, we are going through an extremely challenging time with India right now, but that’s why it is so important for us to have diplomats on the ground working with the Indian government and there to support Canadians and Canadian families,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday.
India, so far, is not blinking. Asked how MEA will ensure that the Canadian visas, especially for students with the strength of the staff down by two-thirds, Bagchi said: “It is up to the Canadian side who they staff their missions with. Our concern is with parity in diplomatic presence.”
The slowing down of visas is certainly likely to cause stress in India. Especially in Punjab as winter sets and Canadians come home to their families. According to the Ministry of Tourism, in 2022, 2.77 lakh Canadian tourists came to India, making them the fifth-highest foreign tourist population to come to India in that year.