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As diplomatic relations between India and Canada continue to deteriorate, reports have emerged indicating that India has formally requested the withdrawal of approximately 40 Canadian diplomats from the country by October 10. The move, if not complied with, would result in the loss of diplomatic immunity for the Canadian diplomats, according to sources.
Currently, there are more than 60 Canadian diplomats stationed in India. The escalating tensions between the two nations can be traced back to recent events, with a significant turning point occurring when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that Indian intelligence agents may have played a role in the murder of Sikh pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Trudeau’s allegations sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, leading to a sharp decline in relations between India and Canada. In response, both countries expelled one diplomat each, and India categorically dismissed Canada’s claims as “politically driven.”
The incident involving the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar took place outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 when masked gunmen fatally shot him.
India’s decision to request the withdrawal of Canadian diplomats and the potential loss of diplomatic immunity marks another step in the ongoing diplomatic dispute. Earlier, on September 21, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, had indicated that India sought parity in the strength of diplomatic missions between the two countries. Bagchi noted that the number of Canadian diplomats in India far exceeded the number of Indian diplomats in Canada, implying that there would likely be a reduction in the Canadian diplomatic presence in India.
The situation remains fluid, and the upcoming weeks will likely be critical in determining the course of India-Canada relations and the extent to which diplomatic tensions will be resolved or further exacerbated.
