India orders 41 Canadian diplomats to leave the country by October 10

British newspaper ‘Financial Times’ reported that India has asked Canada to compulsorily recall 41 of its diplomats by October 10.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained ever since Canada expressed suspicion that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nagar in June this year. He called him ‘terrorist’.

It should be remembered that Hardeep Singh Nagar, a Sikh leader active for the establishment of a Sikh state called Khalistan, was shot dead by two masked assailants outside the Gurdwara in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, in June this year. India has rejected the suspicion of the role of agents as baseless.

On September 21, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked India to cooperate with the investigation into the killing of a separatist leader in British Columbia, saying Canada would not release evidence to support its claims.

In view of the diplomatic dispute, India stopped issuing visas to Canada and on the same day asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.

Last week, the Indian foreign minister held talks with US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken and US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan regarding Canada’s allegations regarding India’s possible involvement in the killing of a separatist leader in Canada.

Jaishankar said India has informed Canada that it is ready to review any ‘specific’ or ‘relevant’ information provided regarding the killings.

Justin Trudeau has yet to publicly release any evidence, but has said he shared credible allegations with India several weeks ago.

Citing people familiar with the Indian demand, the Financial Times said that India has warned of revoking the diplomatic immunity of diplomats who remain in New Delhi following October 10.

According to the ‘Financial Times’, there are 62 Canadian diplomats in India and India has asked that a total of 41 diplomats be recalled.

The Indian and Canadian foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

India is frustrated by the presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada. Last week, Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar has said that there is an ‘atmosphere of violence’ and a ‘threatening situation’ once morest Indian diplomats in Canada.