• Source:JND
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada. He further informed that the country invoked the provision of parity in Canada's diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi's affairs by Canadian personnel.

"If we see progress in the safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there," S Jaishankar said at an event while responding to a question on diplomatic ties.

"Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this. In our case, we invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel," he said.

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His remark came as Canada withdrew 41 of its diplomats from India amid the escalating situation between both countries.

Making the announcement, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolly on Thursday informed that they have removed 41 diplomats and their 42 family members, from India over the ongoing row between the two countries.

"As of now, I can confirm that India has formally conveyed its plan to unethically remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20. This means 41 Canadian diplomats and their 42 dependents were in danger of having immunity stripped on an arbitrary date. And this would put their personal safety at risk," Joly said, as she confirmed the departure of Canadian diplomats.

Canada had accused India of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

S Jaishankar said the relationship between India and Canada right now is going through a difficult phase, adding that India has problems with certain segment of Canadian politics.