(Image source from: travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com)

Raising the tension over the diplomatic relations between India and Canada, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has announced the suspension of Visa and consulate services of the Canadian consulate in Banglore, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Now only in New Delhi, the Canadian High Commission is available for foreign services.

Melanie Joy has confirmed the news that this decision was taken as the response to India’s removal of diplomatic immunities for 41 Canadian diplomats in Delhi on October 20th. The Foreign Minister has expressed her concern over the changes in diplomatic immunities between Canada and India.

On October 20th, India formally removed the diplomatic immunities of the 41 Canadian diplomats and their dependents, claiming that their personal safety was at risk.

The diplomatic dispute between India and Canada started after the killing of Jaspal Atwal Nijjar, a Canadian nation of Indian origin, who died under mysterious circumstances. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commended Jaspal’s death, relations between both countries took a new turn.

After two weeks of negotiations between India and Canada along with the departure of the Canadian diplomats, a demand for parity in the number of diplomats present in both the two nations.

India claims that 21 accredited Indian diplomats are in Canada, while Canada has 62 in India across the High Commission in New Delhi along with Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru consulate.