Tag Archives: diplomacy

India – Canada ties hit next level of escalation, 6 Canadian diplomats expelled in response

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In a quick response to Canada’s move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Monday, just hours after announcing the withdrawal of its High Commissioner and other key officials from Canada. The move comes as relations between the two nations deteriorate, with India citing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ongoing “hostility” towards New Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement confirming the expulsion of the diplomats, who have been instructed to leave India by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. Among those expelled are Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, and several senior officials, including Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, and First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, and Paula Orjuela.

India’s decision was conveyed to Stewart Wheeler, Canada’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, who was summoned to the MEA. Indian officials condemned what they called the “baseless targeting” of their diplomats in Canada, and expressed deep concern for the safety of Indian representatives amidst what they described as a hostile environment fostered by the Trudeau government.

“The actions of the Trudeau government have created an atmosphere of extremism and violence, jeopardizing the safety of Indian diplomats,” the MEA statement said. “We have lost confidence in the Canadian government’s ability to ensure their security, and thus have made the decision to withdraw our High Commissioner and other targeted officials.”

India’s diplomatic retaliation comes after Ottawa labeled Indian diplomats as “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation, a claim New Delhi has strongly rejected as “preposterous.” In a strongly-worded response earlier in the day, India accused the Trudeau government of “consciously” allowing extremists and separatists to operate freely in Canada, leading to harassment and intimidation of Indian officials and community leaders.

The MEA also warned that India reserves the right to take further action in response to what it perceives as Canadian support for extremism, violence, and separatism aimed at undermining India’s sovereignty.

The diplomatic rift marks a new low in India-Canada relations, with both countries now recalling high-ranking officials as tensions continue to simmer over issues of security and sovereignty.

Diplomatic Dinner? Israeli dinner Dessert in a Shoe Shocks Japan PM Abe

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Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have made a faux paux of sort when his renowned and creative chef served visiting Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with desert dishes in a shoe on last week May 2. Shocked Japanese revealed it a week later.

Japanese, like any Asian culture, do not bring shoes inside the home, let alone on the dining table. even inside the Japanese home, shoes are forbidden and only leather covering cloth shoes are preferred.

Unthinkable for Japan PM Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie, the creative chef Segev Moshe, riding high on his latest triumph when he served US President Donald Trump and his host a desert in the shape of a double-headed Trump and Netanyahu, presumed that it was funny but leaving the diplomatic circles in a shock.

The media, which was criticised by Netanyahu for not covering the Japanese PM’s visit last week, has retorted giving the faux pax more due to cover the event.

A Japanese diplomat, not named by the paper Yediot Aharonot, was quoted to have said,“There’s no culture in the world in which you put shoes on the table. What was the distinguished chef thinking? If it was humor, we don’t think it is funny; we were offended on behalf of our prime minister.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the menu was not its decision but said, “We have the utmost respect for the Japanese prime minister.”

Undaunted, Segev has posted the shoe-filled dessert on his Instagram account, with a message: “Chocolate selection from the world by #SegevArt / A metal shoe by @tomdixonstudio”. essentially the chef tried to defend the serving saying the shoe was a sculpture by international artist Tom Dixon, whose works are displayed in major museums around the world.

He said for the first time, it was displayed in Israel at a meal and the vessel is a piece of art made of cast metal in the shape of a shoe; it is not a real shoe.

"You don’t need to know any culture to know that serving shoes at a dinner is WRONG!” said another tweet in a reply.

However, the shocking episode has given enough coverage to the visit by Japan PM and Netanyahu must be feeling happy about it.

Mallya Dose? India approves MoU with UK on return of Illegal Migrants

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Indian Cabinet has approved an MoU last month with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on the return of illegal migrants, in view of businessman and former MP Vijay Mallya’s escape from the tax dragon in the country.

The MoU will facilitate that the Visa Free Agreement for holders of Diplomatic passports as well as liberalization of UK Visa Regime for those who are travelling to the UK legally, after conclusion of the MoU.

It will ensure the return of persons who have no lawful basis to be in the territory of the other Party after verification of nationality to its satisfaction.

It will help in streamlining the procedure of return of nationals who are caught to be staying illegally, belonging to the other party in a specified time-frame.

The MoU may not facilitate the return of Mallya for now but certainly paves the way for it in the near future.

[category, DIPLOMACY]