Canada Foreign Minister calls strain in bilateral ties "difficult moment," says in close contact with EAM Jaishankar
Canada, Melanie Joly, has said that she is in close contact with her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, adding that it is a difficult moment in relationship between the two nations that has spanned decades.
Melanie Joly held a virtual news conference on Thursday to discuss her participation in the recent G7 foreign ministers' meeting, which took place in Tokyo.
During the conference, Joly discussed Canada's diplomatic standoff with India, especially at a time when relations between the two countries remain strained.
She said, «When it comes to India, I have mentioned it many times...I am in close contact with my counterpart, S Jaishankar, and we know this is a difficult moment in a relationship that spanned decades, so therefore I am confident that we will be able to get through this difficult period, as we know that we have many interests also that we can work together in common.»
Highlighting the issue of 41 Canadian diplomats withdrawn from India, she stated that Canadian diplomats had to leave India because their immunities were taken back.
«Of course we talk about our relationship within the Indo-Pacific with all our friends and like-minded...and of course...we are preoccupied by Induia's decision to get rid of the diplomatic immunities of 41 of our Canadian diplomats which put their safety at risk,» she said.
«And, we are happy to see that there is clear language in the declaration (G7 declaration) reaffirming the importance of the Vienna Convention and the diplomatic immunities that are part of this,» she added.
On being asked by the reporters if the dispute is settled now, the Canadian Foreign Minister added by saying, «Well, first and foremost, I have said it many times that Canadian diplomats had to leave
