With growing unease in the relationship over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claim of the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India has reportedly told Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomats from the country.
In its report the Financial Times (FT) revealed that New Delhi has told Ottawa to repatriate about 40 diplomats by October 10.
However, the government of India has not issued an official statement in this matter yet.
India has sought that Canada reduce the number of its diplomats in India by 40. Canada currently has 62 diplomats in India. The Financial Times has in its report cited people familiar with the development saying that India has threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of those diplomats, who stay back beyond October 10.
Diplomatic ties between India and Canada suffered a jolt after Canada prematurely expelled an Indian diplomat on September 19 following baseless allegations by Canadian PM Trudeau of the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar.
India categorically denied the allegations by Trudeau as “absurd and motivated” while also expelling a Canadian diplomat. While back at home, Trudeau suffered severe backlash. Canada’s Five Eyes allies also refused to meddle in the matter.
Moreover, Trudeau’s allegations against India emboldened Khalistanis in Canada with terrorists like Gutpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit, threatening Hindus to leave Canada. Moreover, Islamist groups like the NCCM also asked the Canadian government to freeze all trade and end diplomatic ties with India.
In view of the same, India suspended visa services in Canada. New Delhi through its The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) minced no words calling Canada a “safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime”.
The government of India also said that the Canadian government had not provided any evidence whatsoever over Nijjar’s murder even as India gave specific inputs on criminals in Canada to no avail.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week said that the ongoing situation in Canada should not be regarded as normal. Addressing a press conference in Washington DC, he said freedom of expression should not extend to incitement of violence. He was hinting at the Khalistani terror activities that have often targeted Indian embassies in Canada.
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