The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada has been strained for a number of months now. Ever since Canada accused India of being involved in the killing of Canadian National Hardeep Singh Nijjar, tension rose between the two countries. Many of the Canadian diplomats working at the embassy and consulates were relocated to in the aftermath.
Canada has now decided to reduce the local staff strength as well. Canada has cited the reduction in availability of Canadian staff to manage and supervise the operations in the country as the main reason behind this staff cut in India.
41 Canadian diplomats were withdrawn from the country in October last year after India said it will pull diplomatic immunity. This was done to create parity in the number of diplomats working in each country.
The Canadian High Commission said that it was a necessary decision that came in the aftermath of withdrawal of Canadian diplomats. The Indian staff had disproportionately outnumbered the Canadians.
Both the countries have had a rough phase when it comes to diplomatic relationships. There have been a number of attacks on Indian origin people in Canada as well.
