Concerned' about India's involvement in Canada removing 41 ambassadors, the US and UK 'Agreeing to disagree demands

 'Concerned' about India's involvement in Canada removing 41 ambassadors, the US and UK 'Agreeing to disagree demands

On Friday, the US and UK encouraged New Delhi not to demand that Canada cut down on its diplomatic operations in India and voiced worry after Ottawa's removal of 41 diplomats amid a disagreement over the murder of a Sikh separatist.

Canada has claimed Indian participation in the June killing of Canadian national and head of the Sikh separatist movement Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver neighborhood. India has labeled Nijjar a "terrorist." India disputes the charge.

According to Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, "We are worried by the departure of Canadian diplomats from Pakistan in response to the Indian government's demand that Canada significantly reduce its embassy presence in India."

Even while Western nations have been hesitant to publicly criticize India, Washington has said that it takes Canada's accusations seriously and has encouraged India to assist in the murder investigation with London.

As a counterweight to their primary Asian adversary China, analysts claim that the U.S. and the UK do not want to sour their relations with India.

However, the U.S. State Department and the British Foreign Office's remarks on Friday were the most overt criticisms of New Delhi so far from Washington and London.

A representative for the British Foreign Office stated, "We do not agree with the choices made by the Indian government that have led to a number of Canadian ambassadors leaving India.

Following India's request for Ottawa to scale up its diplomatic presence last month in response to Canada's charges over Nijjar's murder, Ottawa recalled 41 diplomats from India. Canada warned of delays in the processing of visas on Friday and said that it was temporarily stopping in-person activities at consulates in numerous Indian cities.

"Diplomats on the ground are necessary for settling disputes. The Indian government has been urged not to demand a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence and to assist in the ongoing Canadian investigation, the Department of State of the United States said, adding that it expects "India to uphold its obligations pursuant to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

The Vienna Convention was also mentioned by the British Foreign Office. It said that "the unilateral removal of the rights and freedoms that provide for the safety and security of foreigners is not consistent with the principles or the efficient execution of the Vienna Convention."