Why in news? Canada accused India for violating Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as it confirmed that 41 diplomats have been shifted out of India.

Highlights:

• Ministry of External Affairs clarified about India’s compliance over the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
• India defended its actions are consistent with the tenets set forth in Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

What is the Vienna Convention?

• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is an international treaty signed by 61 countries in 1961.
• It defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries.
• Convention codifies the longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity, in which diplomatic missions are granted privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country.

Parties to convention

• There are 193 state parties to the Vienna Convention.
• Palau , South Sudan and the UN observer states of the Holy See and State of Palestine are not the members
• There are no states that have signed the treaty but not ratified it.

What is Article 11.1 about?

• Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations pertains to the size of international missions within other countries.
• It states that ”In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and to the needs of the particular mission,”