No violation of Vienna Convention rules: India

Source: The post is based on the article “No violation of Vienna Convention rules: India” published in “Business Standard” on 21st October 2023

What is the News?

Canada has accused India of violating the Vienna Convention after India had asked for a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats posted in India. 

What is the Vienna Convention?

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is an international treaty signed in 1961. 

Aim: To put forth a framework for diplomatic interactions between independent nations and aims to ensure the development of friendly relations among nations. 

Signed by: At present 193 countries are party to the convention.

The convention formalizes the longstanding practice of diplomatic immunity.It grants diplomatic missions privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country.

Why has Canada accused India of violating the Vienna Convention?

Canada has accused the Indian government of violating the Vienna Convention by forcing it to downsize its mission in India.

What was India’s response to this violation of the Vienna Convention?

India has said that its actions are as per provisions of Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR).

Article 11.1 pertains to the size of international missions within other countries. 

It provides the receiving state the right to limit the size of a diplomatic mission to what it considers reasonable and normal.