India Canada diplomatic rift: India and Canada expel diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after accusations of involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, intensifying diplomatic tensions.
India Canada Diplomatic rift
India has taken a significant step by asking six Canadian diplomats to leave the country amid growing tensions between the two nations. The move comes after Ottawa accused India’s diplomats of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim New Delhi has vehemently denied.
Canadian Diplomats Ordered to Leave
Among the six Canadian diplomats asked to leave India are key officials, including the Acting High Commissioner, Stewart Ross Wheeler, and several first secretaries. The Ministry of External Affairs in India issued a formal statement outlining the expulsion and setting a deadline for the diplomats to depart by October 19, 2024.
India Denounces Accusations Against Envoy
New Delhi strongly condemned Ottawa’s accusations, labeling them as “baseless” and dismissing the claim that Indian diplomats were involved in a “campaign of violence” in Canada. India’s envoy to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was also targeted in the allegations, which India described as ludicrous.
Canada Retaliates by Expelling Indian Diplomats
Later stage of India Canada diplomatic rift: In a retaliatory move, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, further escalating the rift between the two nations. This tit-for-tat action has deepened the diplomatic crisis, with both sides withdrawing key officials and further straining relations that were already tense.