In a development that threatens to further strain diplomatic relations, India has issued a stern ultimatum to Canada, demanding the repatriation of 41 Canadian diplomats by October 10, according to reports in the Financial Times.
Tensions between the two nations have escalated significantly, primarily stemming from Canada’s suspicions that Indian government agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, back in June. The Indian government had previously labeled Nijjar as a “terrorist,” while Canada has alleged Indian involvement in his killing, leading to a war of words between the two nations.
India has vehemently dismissed these allegations, deeming them “absurd.” The situation has now taken a turn for the worse, with India taking decisive action by demanding the repatriation of Canadian diplomats as a punitive measure.
According to sources familiar with the matter, India has even threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of those Canadian diplomats who fail to comply with the October 10 deadline to leave the country.
Canada currently maintains a diplomatic contingent of 62 officials in India, and the demand for the return of 41 of them signifies a significant downsizing of the Canadian diplomatic presence in the country.
As of now, both the Indian and Canadian foreign ministries have refrained from making any official comments on the issue, leaving the situation hanging in diplomatic uncertainty.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar previously highlighted concerns of a “climate of violence” and an “atmosphere of intimidation” against Indian diplomats in Canada. These concerns have been fueled by the presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada, which have been a source of frustration for the Indian government.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the escalating dispute between India and Canada.
