Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the Bharat-Canada
row with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stating that it is
important to uphold and respect the “rule of law”.
The Canadian PM held a telephone conversation with the UAE President
and the two spoke about the current situation in Israel. The two leaders
expressed concern about the need to protect civilian life.
“On the phone today, His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed and I spoke
about the current situation in Israel. We expressed our deep concern and
discussed the need to protect civilian life,” posted Trudeau on X.
“We also spoke about India and the importance of upholding and
respecting the rule of law,” his post added.
On Sunday, UK PM Rishi Sunak called for de-escalation of the Bharat-Canada
row in a call with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.
According to a Downing Street statement, Sunak spoke to Trudeau on
Friday evening during which he was updated on the situation relating to
Canadian diplomats in Bharat.
“He (Rishi Sunak) hoped to see a de-escalation in the situation and
agreed to remain in contact with Prime Minister Trudeau on the next steps,”
read the statement.
Sunak also reaffirmed UK’s position that all countries should
respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Meanwhile, Trudeau updated on the situation relating to Canadian
diplomats in Bharat.
The diplomatic ties between Bharat and Canada deteriorated after
the Canadian Government expelled a senior Indian diplomat accusing Bharat of
playing a role in the assassination of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar
in Canada.
In the aftermath, Bharat swiftly retaliated by issuing a statement
that denied any involvement in the issue and expelled a senior Canadian
diplomat.
Moreover, amid escalating tensions, Bharat called for parity in the
number of Canadian diplomats in Bharat.
Responding to reports claiming that Bharat has asked Canada to
remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson
Arindam Bagchi earlier this month said Canadian diplomatic presence is much
higher in Bharat and they assume “there would be reduction”.
“On discussions on parity, 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.
Discussions are ongoing to achieve this. Given that Canadian diplomatic
presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction,” said Bagchi.
ANI
