According to a report in the Financial Times on Tuesday, India has issued a directive to Canada to repatriate 41 diplomats by next Tuesday, October 10.
India and Canada’s relations have significantly deteriorated due to Canadian suspicions surrounding the involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader, in June.
India has vehemently denied these allegations, considering them baseless.
According to the Financial Times, India has reportedly threatened to revoke diplomatic immunity for diplomats who fail to leave by October 10, following its demand for Canada to reduce its 62 diplomats in India by 41.
Both the Indian and Canadian foreign ministries have yet to provide an official response to inquiries, as reported by Reuters.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concerns about a “climate of violence” and an “atmosphere of intimidation” faced by Indian diplomats in Canada.
This issue has arisen in a backdrop where the presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has been a source of frustration for New Delhi.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated, with India demanding the repatriation of 41 Canadian diplomats. This move is seen as a response to Canada’s suspicions about the Indian government’s involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, further straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.
