Citing thin Canadian presence, Canada retrenches India staffers
While the precise number of layoffs has not been announced, it is believed to be less than 100
Canada has recently reduced the number of Indian staff members in its diplomatic missions in India due to a lack of Canadian personnel required for successful in-country operations management. This move follows India’s expulsion of 41 Canadian ambassadors last year in an effort to attain diplomatic parity. As a result, Canada’s consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru no longer conduct in-person activities.
While the precise number of layoffs has not been announced, it is believed to be less than 100. A high commission public relations representative confirmed the staff reductions and expressed sadness for the decision’s necessity, citing the departure of Canadian workers last year.
“We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to our local staff in India for their resilience, dedication, and service. Canada remains committed to providing essential services to Canadians in India, including consular support and facilitating trade and business development, to uphold the longstanding ties between our two nations,” stated the official, noting that Canada’s visa application centers in India continue to operate normally.
Despite the diplomatic strain, Canada highlights its long-standing ties with Indian residents, welcome them for visits, job, study, or permanent settlement in the country. India had not anticipated Canada’s shutdown of consular facilities, as its move to expel ambassadors was exclusively intended to achieve diplomatic parity between the two high commissioners in Delhi and Ottawa.
The diplomatic schism between India and Canada arose following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation that Indian government officials were involved in the murder of Khalistan leader Hardeep Nijjar in Vancouver. In reaction, the Indian government accused Canadian officials of interfering with its domestic affairs. During his statement to a committee looking into charges of foreign involvement in Canadian affairs, Trudeau restated his concerns about the Nijjar case. He underlined his party’s commitment to preserving Canadians’ rights and freedoms, slamming the former Conservative government for allegedly having tight relations with the present Indian government.
“Our government remains steadfast in ensuring that anyone coming to Canada enjoys the rights and freedoms of a Canadian citizen, free from extortion, coercion, or interference from their country of origin. Our actions, including addressing the serious case of Khalistani Terrorist Nijjar’s murder, underscore our dedication to defending the rights and freedoms that many have sought by coming to Canada,” Trudeau asserted.
The Canadian high commission’s public affairs staff told The Wire that the decision was made following the withdrawal of Canadian diplomats.“I can confirm that the Government of Canada has implemented some staff reductions across our network of missions in India. The decision to implement reductions across our network of missions in India was sadly necessary given the reduction of Canadian staff available to effectively manage and maintain in-country operations,” said the statement issued on Thursday (April 12) night.
Canada had likewise suspended all in-person services at its three consulates at the time of the mass departure of its diplomats. Among the 41 ambassadors who left India were 22 employees from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada’s federal organization in charge of overseas travel, leaving only five employees to monitor visa procedures. In October, the IRCC said that over 89% of India’s visa applications had already been handled through its global network, but warned that there may be delays owing to staff reductions.
