Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, accused of being involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader and targeting Indian dissidents in Canada. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian high-ranking diplomats and withdrew its envoy. The diplomatic row has severely strained relations between the two countries, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing India of engaging in criminal activities on Canadian soil. India denies the accusations and accuses Trudeau of pursuing a political agenda.
Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police uncovered evidence of a campaign by the Indian government against Indian dissidents in Canada, including homicides and extortion. India’s foreign ministry expressed concerns about the safety of the Canadian diplomats in India and decided to withdraw its envoy and other targeted officials. Canada requested India to remove diplomatic immunity from the diplomats for questioning, but India did not cooperate, leading to the expulsions.
The relationship between the two countries has deteriorated significantly, with little hope for normalcy in the foreseeable future. Canada, home to a large Sikh population, has faced tensions with India over Sikh separatist demonstrations. The U.S. has also accused Indian agents of involvement in an assassination plot against a Sikh leader in New York. The escalating tensions have implications for their relationship with India and their efforts to counter China’s global influence.
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