India has decided to withdraw its high commissioner and other "targeted" diplomats and officials from Canada in response to Ottawa's attempt to link them to a probe into the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the decision shortly after summoning the Canadian charge d'affaires. "The Canadian Charge d'Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening. He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable," the MEA said.
"It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau government's actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian government's commitment to ensure their security," it said in a statement.
"Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials," the MEA said. "It was also conveyed that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India," it said.
India also decided to expel six Canadian Diplomats. They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024. These diplomats are Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary, lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary, Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary, Paula Orjuela, First Secretary.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from PTI)
