This gross miscalculation by a seasoned Canadian “politician-cum-diplomat” didn’t go well with Canadian academia as well, as Robert Bothwell, Koala Faux Fur Fabrics a Toronto University professor, spelt out. An ambassador, being the seniormost, is the boss of his nation’s embassy staff in a foreign land. He informed the Chinese-language media that “his wife is of Chinese descent, and his three sons have Chinese spouses”. Further, with his suggestions that the case was “politically motivated” and that “the US could make a trade deal with China in which it would no longer seek her extradition, and two Canadians detained in China could be released”, it was clear that Mr McCallum had crossed the rubicon, from being a professional diplomat to resorting to politicking, thereby embarrassing his own country.

”The episode of the former Canadian ambassador to China provides food for thought for India as well, particularly for the mandarins of the external affairs ministry at South Block.

The situation is becoming graver by the day as can be seen while perusing the simplest of issues — the bilateral trade figures between China and any other nation, India included.  

In case an ambassador feels strongly about an issue and disagrees with his own government’s viewpoint of policy, the only course open to him or her is to resign and then express his views as a private citizen.What really compelled PM Trudeau to sack his ambassador to China was when the envoy made repeated faux pas like a non-professional, flute-playing, sermonising, Left-ideology driven emotional teenager. She secured bail, but her extradition to the United States still looms large. Diplomats are “privileged” officials who represent their country on foreign soil, essentially to look after their own country’s interests.When Canada’s Opposition Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer said that Mr McCallum should have been sacked days ago because his remarks had raised concerns about the politicisation of the Meng case, he can hardly be faulted.  

Is sabotaging foreign diplomats on its own soil the new norm of Chinese diplomatic strategy? To penetrate the rival country’s establishment through their own diplomatic personnel? That China is already “buying” up the foreign media to serve Beijing’s interests is an “open secret”. Even to an Indian, far away from Canada, the entire episode appeared bizarre! “Is blood thicker than water?” Is this a global phenomenon? Does one’s professional duty to one’s own nation state come first, or does personal kinship supersede all? The community of professional diplomats were left aghast, but true to their calling, they were mostly circumspect in public. It stunned many others too, all those who still believe in the concept of a “nation state” and don’t feel the need to provide (unwarranted) extra-jurisdictional support and sympathy to an aggressive foreign nation.Understandably, China was furious as Ms Meng’s arrest was seen as a personal affront to Beijing’s lifelong ruler, President Xi Jinping, and a direct assault on his policies. China, desperate to take Ms Meng out of a legal mess on foreign soil, started its trademark gunboat diplomacy; simultaneously firing on all cylinders and from all possible angles.Unsurprisingly, colleagues like Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China, also “felt… it was the right thing to do” and that: “What’s worse is this is happening in middle of a crisis when we need all hands on deck. There is no scope for any dissent, disagreement or personal opinions to be expressed in public. It does underline the hazards of sending a politician to do a diplomat’s job.  

At the end of the day, the Canadian PM gracefully heeded the advice of the Opposition as the reported view that “Mr McCallum caused damage to Canada’s reputation by delivering different messages through different media on different days” appeared valid and logical.Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deserves to be complimented for withdrawing his ambassador John McCallum from Beijing. Ambassador McCallum appeared to be super sensitive, and more supportive of China rather than his own country, which had appointed him as its representative in Beijing.” The ambassador completely ignored the fact that in moments like this, “the government has to speak with a single, clear voice”.Not surprisingly, the Canadian diplomat did not endear himself to his colleagues and countrymen. “It would be ‘great’ if the US dropped its extradition request for a Chinese tech executive arrested in Canada”, he said, and went on to add that the “extradition of Ms Meng to the US would not be a happy outcome”.In the midst of this deteriorating Sino-Canadian relationship, the “intervention” by Mr McCallum as the “saviour” of Beijing left fellow diplomats and compatriots shocked.  

It was time for Mr McCallum, the ambassador, to go home. Hence an ambassador, being the confidant of his country’s government and political leadership, has to be in tune with them. This pincer movement of the Chinese state — from within and without — today constitutes one of the biggest challenges facing countries across the world, in Asia and Africa as well as the developed nations of the West!. Reportedly, earlier too, he had stated that “Canada has more in common with China than (with) the United States”.” Mr Saint-Jacques rubbed it in further: “The Chinese will now know that Mr McCallum was not speaking for the Canadian government.  

What makes things a lot murkier is that Mr McCallum had “strong personal ties with China”. Is it now the turn of diplomats? It’s becoming more and more apparent that a sizeable number of non-Chinese diplomats across the globe, after a stint in Beijing, are known to have graduated into diehard “China lobbyists” once back in their homeland, and in high positions within their foreign offices, in the garb of “globalisation, liberalisation, privatisation, bilateralism, trade, investment, people-to-people to contacts”.Mr McCallum, Canada’s ambassador to China, surprisingly appeared to be providing legal counselling to Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the founder of Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies, who was arrested in Vancouver on December 1, 2018 on the serious charges of espionage and financial irregularities. “It’s not an ambassador’s job to speak out of turn.

Later, the crime branch handed them over to the police. “The investigation is on, and we are Rabbit fur with white print faux fur fabric establishing the role of the duo and their relatives in the crime,” said Mr Wavale.Officers also recovered CCTV footage.  

“Almost 15 days earlier, my brother-in-law, who stays in Bangalore, paid a visit to him (Vira) and he felt that my father in law was very scared of Khan and wasn’t even allowing him to go out,” she said. Khan allegedly visited Vira frequently and threatened him in person. She also demanded the arrest of Khan’s other sons and son-in-law, claiming that they often used to threaten the senior citizen.”  

According to Ms Sheila Vira, the daughter-in-law of deceased, Vira had filed an NC against Razzak a month ago for threatening him, but the police avoided giving him protection. An FIR in the case was filed by a relative of Vira on Sunday and the document mentioned the Khans.  According to Mr Vira, his father owned a steel factory and in October 2010, when they shut it, Khan, then a corporator, tried to encroach it and this led to a scuffle between Khan and himself.  

They were produced in a local court on Monday afternoon and remanded in police custody till October 24. Another officer said that the police is also investigating the contract killing angle in the case. According to the officer, four to five people are wanted in the case.45 pm on Saturday.Bhupendra Vira’s kin blame BMC, cops for inaction despite warning them in past. Mr Mayur Vira, elder son of deceased, said, “On several occasions my father feared for his life after he raised his voice against Khan’s illegal encroachment in Vakola.

Former Congress corporator Razzak Khan (68) and his son Amjad (45) have been arrested in connection with the murder of 70-year-old anti-encroachment activist Bhupendra Vira, who was shot dead at his residence in Kalina, Santa Cruz around 9. Ms Vira further alleged that her father-in-law died to due to the negligence of BMC officers, as they delayed to act against the encroachment, even after Vira approached the Lokayukta.Vira, who had started a campaign against 150 illegal commercial galas that were directly and indirectly connected to Khan, feared that goons would kill his son. Mr Mahadeo Wavale, senior police inspector of Vakola police station, confirming the arrests, said Khan and Amjad, a fabric businessman, were arrested from a hospital on Sunday, based on their alleged constant threats to Vira.

Advani said he was fully committed to his principles, and protecting the nation’s secular fabric was one of his commitments.K.CPI national secretary D.B.Ardhendu Bhushan Bardhan, who steered the party during the turbulent period of coalition politics at the national level in 1990s, was also a leading figure of the trade union movement and Left politics. He moved to Delhi politics in 1990s and became the deputy general secretary of CPI.  

Raja said the cremation will take place at electric crematorium here at 3 pm on Monday. He succeeded Indrajit Gupta as general secretary of the party in 1996. We expect party activists and leaders of other parties to turn up here tomorrow..Expressing grief, the BJP veteran said Bardhan was a leading figure of the trade union movement and a voice of the poor and will always be remembered for his excellent oratory skill..The mortal remains of veteran CPI leader A.Before that, his alpaca faux fur fabric body will be kept at the party headquarters, Ajoy Bhavan, where leaders of the Left and other parties can have his last glimpse. Comrade Bardhan’s life and work was that of a dedicated Communist leader. Comrade Bardhan, as the general secretary of the CPI, helped build Left unity.  

His body will be brought to the party headquarters around 10 am tomorrow so that people can have his last glimpse before we proceed towards electric crematorium at the Nigambodh Ghat,” Mr Raja said. He played a key role in strengthening relations with the CPI(M).... Condoling the death of the CPI stalwart, senior BJP leader L. The CPI(M), in a message, expressed deep grief over the death of Bardhan saying the Left movement in the country has lost an “invaluable” leader, as it underscored his role in building unity amongst Communist and Left parties.He said Bardhan’s family members, including his son Ashok and daughter Alka Barua, were already in the city. He rose to become the general secretary and then President of All India Trade Union Congress, the oldest trade union in India.“The politburo expresses its deep grief at passing away of Bardhan, veteran leader of Communist and working class movement of India.

“Comrade Bardhan was the senior-most and tallest leader of the Left nationally and commanded respect cutting across party lines.The CPI leader said messages from leaders cutting across party lines expressing their grief over Bardhan’s demise have been received by the party. Bardhan, who passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness, will be kept at the party headquarters here on Monday before the final rites are conducted in the afternoon. In his death, the CPI and the Left movement have lost an invaluable leader,” it said in a statement.