India Expels Six Canadian Diplomats and Withdraws Envoy from Canada
- India has ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its own envoy from Canada in response to Ottawa’s decision to name them as “persons of interest” in an investigation.
- The move follows allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian agents were linked to the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader.
- India has long denied Trudeau’s accusation and accused him of pursuing a “political agenda.”
- India has asked the six Canadian diplomats to leave by Saturday and summoned Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler to protest.
- Canada has not publicly confirmed that it has named any Indian official as a person of interest.
- India has repeatedly denied Canada’s claim of smearing India for political gains.
- Canada withdrew over 40 diplomats from India in October 2023 after New Delhi asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence.