Canada: Indian employees were fired just for this reason, know the reason
- Canada removes dozens of Indian personnel from its diplomatic mission in India
- No official statement on the number of employees laid off
- Diplomats accused of interfering in India’s internal affairs
Canada has removed dozens of Indian personnel from its diplomatic mission in India, apparently due to the lack of Canadian staff available to “effectively manage and maintain operations in the country”.
India had expelled 41 Canadian diplomats last year to ensure parity in diplomatic presence, following which Canada closed in-person operations at its consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru. There is no official statement on the number of employees laid off, but it apparently does not exceed 100. Confirming “staff reductions”, the High Commission’s media relations officer said the decision was sadly necessary given the departure of Canadian staff last year.
Canada will continue to provide key services to Canadians in India, including consular assistance and trade and business development – so that citizens of both our countries can benefit from the long-standing relationship between Canadians and Indians, the official said. . Canada Visa Application Centers in India are functioning normally. Despite strained relations, Canada has said it has strong ties with Indian citizens and will continue to welcome them, whether they come to the country to visit, work, study or live permanently.
India did not expect Canada to terminate its services at the consulates as its decision to expel diplomats was only to seek parity in diplomatic representation at the respective High Commissions in Delhi and Ottawa. India expelled diplomats following a diplomatic row with Canada that stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that Indian government officials were involved in the killing of Khalistan leader Hardeep Nijjar in the Vancouver area.
The Indian government accused the diplomats of interfering in India’s internal affairs. Testifying before a committee investigating allegations of foreign interference in Canadian affairs, Trudeau again raised the Niger issue on Wednesday and said his government is committed to protecting the freedoms of Canadians. In response to a question about how his government handles alleged foreign interference, Trudeau also accused the previous Conservative government of having “a very cozy relationship with the current Indian government.”