Amid the escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday cited Ottawa's "interference in internal matters" and said there should be a parity in diplomatic staff strength. The MEA statement comes hours after the Canadian government announced that it would be “temporarily” adjusting its staff presence in India to "ensure the safety of its diplomats". Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: "Their numbers here are very much higher than India's diplomatic presence. We have seen Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs. This is being taken into account and parity is being sought in rank and diplomatic strength." "We think Canadian numbers will go down. Discussions are going on" Bagchi added. On Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations against India over the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Bagchi said "there was a degree of prejudice" in the charges made, and added that they were "politically motivated". Stating that Canada did not share any specific information with India on the Nijjar case, the MEA official said, "Canada should worry about its growing reputation as a place and a safe haven for terrorists." He said New Delhi had provided specific information with Canada on anti-India activities carried out from Canadian soil. He added that New Delhi expects Canada to address concerns over terrorism and anti-India activities in that country. "Safe haven is being provided in Canada. We want the Canadian government to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice. We've sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we've requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all," Bagchi said. On a question of reports of threats to Canadian diplomats in India, Bagchi said India takes its obligations very seriously and will certainly provide all security to foreign diplomats in the country. "We also expect Canadian authorities to show similar sensitivity to our diplomats in Canada," he added. Earlier in the day, India stopped visa services in Canada, a day after New Delhi issued a strongly worded advisory to Indian nationals in Canada, warning against “anti-India activities” and “politically-condoned hate crimes”. Diplomatic ties between both nations strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of the Indian government in the killing of Nijjar in Canada earlier this year. Nijjar, a Canadian national, was the head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey. He was killed on June 18 after being shot by unidentified assailants on the premises of the gurdwara.
