India demands Canada repatriate 40 diplomats after Sikh's murder
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Reportedly, India claims to want "parity" in the number and level of diplomats in each nation.
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People protest outside the Indian Consulate, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 25, 2023. (AP)
Citing people familiar with the demand, a report in the Financial Times stated that India called on Canada to repatriate around 40 diplomats from the country by October 10, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that India is a suspect in the murder of Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
Media was informed by one of the sources that Canada had 62 diplomats in India, then down to 41, while another source claimed that India threatened to take away the diplomatic immunity of Canadian diplomats who stayed in the country after October 10.
Reportedly, India claims to want "parity" in the number and level of diplomats in each nation.
Earlier last month, Trudeau announced that Canada was examining "credible allegations" linking Indian officials to the murder of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar by two masked gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
It is worth noting that Canada is home to a Sikh community comprising over 770,000 individuals, which constitutes approximately 2% of its overall population.
Denying the accusations
Nijjar was campaigning for the creation of an independent Sikh state in India called Khalistan.
Shortly after, Canada expelled a high-level Indian diplomat who was allegedly linked to Indian foreign intelligence. In response, India declared its decision to expel the senior Canadian diplomat, giving him five days to depart.
My statement on allegations surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. pic.twitter.com/auIyj194A8
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) September 19, 2023
Indian citizens have been urged by authorities to exercise caution for those planning to visit or currently in Canada in light of "growing anti-India activities."
India's Foreign Ministry rejected the accusation of government involvement, deeming it "absurd and driven by ulterior motives." In its statement on Tuesday, the Ministry also noted that Trudeau had raised similar allegations with Modi during the G20 summit.
