India Expels 6 Canadian Diplomats Amid Row Over Investigation Into Nijjar's Murder

The government statement said that the six Canadian diplomats have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday (October 19). 

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 14 Oct 2024 10:14 PM (IST)

Canada's Deputy High Commissioner to India Stewart Wheeler leaves from the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
Source : PTI

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced the expelling of six Canadian diplomats including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler amid an escalating row over the investigation into the murder of pro-Khalistan Sikh radical Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

In a statement, the government said it has expelled 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; and Paula Orjuela, First Secretary. 

The statement said that they have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday (October 19). 

ALSO READ | India Withdraws High Commissioner To Canada, Other Targeted Diplomats As Nijjar Row Gets Uglier

The announcement comes hours after India decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials. The major escalation of tension between the two countries come amid an investigation into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The MEA earlier today lambasted Canada for dragging the name of Sanjay Kumar Verma, New Delhi’s envoy to Ottawa, in its investigation into the murder of Nijjar. 

The MEA also summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Stewart Wheeler. "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 ministry stated.

"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. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials. 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," the MEA statement added.

The MEA said India received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in a matter related to an investigation in that country. 

Published at : 14 Oct 2024 09:59 PM (IST)
Tags :
Ministry Of External Affairs Canada Hardeep Singh Nijjar

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