US, UK express concern as 41 Canadian diplomats leave India
Eyes partner Canada in urging India not to insist on a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence and have expressed concern over Ottawa's withdrawal of 41 diplomats amid the dispute over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
«We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian government's demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India,» US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday.
In a near simultaneous statement, a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said, «We do not agree with the decisions taken by the Indian government that have resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India.»
Washington has said it took Canada's allegations seriously and, along with London, urged India to cooperate with Ottawa in the murder probe even as Western powers have been reluctant to openly condemn India given their growing strategic ties with New Delhi.
However, Friday's statements from the US State Department and Britain's Foreign Office have been the most direct criticism by Washington and London of New Delhi thus far in this case.
«Resolving differences requires diplomats on the ground.
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,» the State Department said, adding that it expects «India to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.»
Britain's Foreign Office also cited the Vienna Convention and said, «the unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles or the effective
