India announces the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats and the withdrawal of its High Commissioner, while Canada states it has expelled six Indian officials. These developments occurred just hours after the Canadian government labeled the six Indian officials as ‘persons of interest’ for their alleged involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, India on Monday announced the withdrawal of its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with other senior diplomats from Canada. Shortly after, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including the chargé d’affaires, Stewart Ross Wheeler.
These actions came just hours after the Canadian government identified six Indian officials as “persons of interest” in connection with the June 2023 assassination of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
In a strongly worded response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the Canadian allegations, labeling them as “preposterous imputations.” The Indian government contended that the accusations were tied to political challenges faced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government on the domestic front. Amid these diplomatic moves, news agency AP reported that Canada had expelled six Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner.
‘Endangering Safety’
The withdrawal of Indian diplomats was announced shortly after Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Wheeler, informing him that the actions of the Trudeau administration had “endangered” the safety of Indian diplomats stationed in Canada.
Later on Monday, the MEA confirmed that six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, and First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, and Paula Orjuela, had been expelled. “They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024,” said the MEA.
In a statement, the MEA also revealed that it had received diplomatic communication from Canada suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats were “persons of interest” in connection to an ongoing investigation in Canada. India strongly rejected these claims, attributing them to the Trudeau government’s domestic political agenda, particularly its focus on vote bank politics.
The Indian diplomatic mission in Canada was warned that India might take additional measures to safeguard its interests. “India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government’s support for extremism, violence, and separatism against India,” the MEA warned.
Defending Verma
In defense of High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, the MEA described him as India’s “senior-most serving diplomat” with 36 years of experience. The ministry dismissed the allegations against him as “ludicrous” and said they should be “treated with contempt.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed by unidentified attackers on June 18, 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later declared in the House of Commons that “agents of the Indian government” were responsible for Nijjar’s death. Nijjar was a prominent figure in the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, and his assassination led to a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations between India and Canada. In response, India suspended visa services for Canadian citizens, and by October, 41 Canadian diplomats had been recalled from Canadian missions in India.
‘Space to Terrorists’
The MEA’s statement on Monday accused Prime Minister Trudeau of providing a platform for “violent extremists and terrorists” in Canada, who have allegedly harassed and threatened Indian diplomats and community leaders.
India further claimed that Canadian authorities justified these actions under the guise of “freedom of speech.” The Indian government also accused Canada of fast-tracking the citizenship process for certain individuals who had entered the country illegally. According to India, Canada had ignored its extradition requests for terrorists residing in the country.
The diplomatic spat between India and Canada continues to intensify, with both nations expelling diplomats and accusing each other of misconduct. The situation remains tense as both governments assert their positions on the Nijjar case, with wider implications for bilateral relations.