India announced on Tuesday that it had expelled a Canadian diplomat with just five days’ notice to leave the country. This decision came mere hours after Ottawa had expelled India’s top intelligence agent and accused the South Asian nation of involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.
The rapidly escalating row between the two nations has strained diplomatic relations to the brink. On Monday, Canada had declared it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder that occurred in June in British Columbia.
The Canadian high commissioner, essentially the ambassador, in New Delhi, was summoned to India’s foreign ministry, where they were informed of the expulsion decision. The Indian foreign ministry issued a statement, saying, “The decision reflects the government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.” The statement continued, “The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.”
Earlier on Tuesday, India vehemently dismissed the Canadian accusation as “absurd and motivated.” India urged Canada instead to take legal action against anti-Indian elements operating from its soil, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the two countries to combat terrorism.
The expulsion of diplomats from both sides marks a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic dispute, which has been marked by accusations and counter-accusations regarding each nation’s alleged involvement in the murder of the Sikh separatist leader. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a diplomatic resolution that can ease tensions between India and Canada.
