Canada India asks Canada to recall 41 diplomats by Oct 10: Report
New Delhi: Amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada following the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India has asked Canada to recall 41 of its diplomats from the country by October 10, reported the Financial Times on Tuesday.
New Delhi has informed Canada that if any of these 41 diplomats remain after the specified date, their diplomatic immunity will be rescinded.
India had previously expressed the need for "parity" in both the quantity and rank of diplomats between the two nations.
Currently, Canada maintains a larger contingent of diplomats in Delhi compared to India's presence in Ottawa.
Canada has 62 diplomats stationed in India, and New Delhi has urged them to reduce this number by 41, according to the London-based financial daily.
Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that New Delhi could be behind Nijjar's killing.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on September 18 alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey British Columbia on June 18. India dismissed the allegation, calling it “absurd” and “motivated.”
In 2020, India designated Nijjar as a terrorist.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar questioned the safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada, pointing out a "climate of violence" and an "atmosphere of intimidation" against Indian diplomats in Canada.
India has repeatedly raised the presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada and urged Ottawa to act against the anti-India elements.
During an interaction with Indian journalists in Washington last week, the foreign minister said India was ready to investigate the information pertaining to Canada's accusations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Nijjar.
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