Shillong, October 3: India has asked Canada to withdraw nearly 40 diplomats by October 10 in the midst of a growing diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
The controversy centers around Ottawa’s allegations of New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, as reported by The Financial Times.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation informed the newspaper that India has conveyed its intention to revoke the diplomatic immunity of any Canadian diplomat who remains in the country beyond October 10.
Currently, Canada has 62 diplomats in India, but New Delhi has instructed them to reduce their numbers to 41 at their high commission, according to The Financial Times.
Peter Boehm, chair of the Canadian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, commented on the situation, stating, “Declaring more Canadian diplomats personae non gratae wouldn’t help the situation and would make reducing the emotions associated with this disagreement more difficult.”
Boehm also noted that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not anticipate backing down and suggested that India perceives Canada as “an easy mark.” He emphasized that India is aware of Canada’s limited capacity to retaliate, given the latter’s minority government.
The article also mentioned that Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party, shares power with Indian-origin and Canadian Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP). Boehm highlighted that India is cognizant of the political dynamics in Canada, including an upcoming election.
