India expels six Canadian diplomats amid rising tensions over allegations of repression on Sikhs
The Ministry of External Affairs in its official statement termed Canada’s actions as “inappropriate” and damaging to relations between the two countries.
India has expelled six Canadian diplomats, further escalating the ongoing diplomatic tussle with Canada. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late on Monday evening confirmed the expulsion of the diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler and Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, who have been asked to leave the country by 11:59 pm on October 19, 2024. The decision comes after Canada recently expelled six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
The Ministry of External Affairs in its official statement termed Canada’s actions as “inappropriate” and damaging to relations between the two countries. The Canadian diplomats who have been ordered to leave include senior officials posted in India, including: First Secretary Mary Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka and Paula Orjuela.
The diplomatic row stems from Canada’s allegations that India was involved in the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed there was “credible evidence” of the involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s murder, which India has vehemently denied. According to a report in The Washington Post, Canada’s investigation has revealed extensive evidence linking several violent incidents in the country to the Indian government’s efforts to target Sikh activists.
However, India has accused Canada of harboring pro-Khalistan extremists and allowing them to operate freely, threatening India’s security. “India has repeatedly urged Canada to address the growing threat posed by pro-Khalistani elements on its soil,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The Indian government insists it had no role in the Nijjar incident and has called the allegations politically motivated.
As tensions continue to escalate, The Washington Post has revealed that Canadian officials believe Nijjar’s killing was part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Sikh communities, allegedly perpetrated by the Modi administration. These claims have deepened the mistrust between the two countries, which India has consistently rejected.
