Amid escalating tensions between Canada and India, India has expelled 6 Canadian diplomats from the country on Monday, 14 October. They have been given time till 12 midnight on 19 October. India has also recalled its High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma.
This decision followed a letter from the Trudeau government on Sunday, which named the High Commissioner and several other diplomats as suspects in the murder of a Canadian citizen. Earlier, Canada had expelled six Indian diplomats.
While the identity of the Canadian citizen was not disclosed, the case is believed to be connected to the murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response to the allegations, India took a firm stance. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Canadian ambassador and declared the claims made by Canada were "baseless." Subsequently, India announced the recall of its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada.
We have provided evidence: Canadian Deputy High Commissioner
After coming out of the Foreign Ministry, Canada's Deputy High Commissioner in India Stuart Wheeler said, 'We have provided strong evidence related to the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. Now it remains to be seen what action India takes on these allegations. This is in the interest of both the countries. Canada is ready to cooperate.'
Canadian Govt has not shared a shred of evidence
Commenting on the developments, the MEA spokesperson said since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. On the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India.
High Commissioner Verma has a distinguished career
The MEA said High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma is India’s senior most serving diplomat with a distinguished career spanning 36 years. He has been Ambassador in Japan and Sudan, while also serving in Italy, Turkiye, Vietnam and China. The aspersions cast on him by the Government of Canada are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt.
The Government of India has taken cognizance of the activities of the Canadian High Commission in India that serve the political agenda of the current regime. India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats.
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