India withdraws top envoy to Canada, others; expels six Canadian diplomats

Rejects allegations of involvement in Nijjar murder plot as baseless and politically motivated

- VINAY KUMAR

TRUDEAU GOVT LINKS INDIAN DIPLOMATS TO NIJJAR CASE

NEW DELHI: In a major escalation of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, New Delhi announced the withdrawal of its High Commissioner and several other diplomats from Ottawa on Monday. This unprecedented move came in response to Canada's allegations linking Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to an investigation into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. India has firmly rejected these allegations as baseless and politically motivated, marking a new low in the already strained ties between the two nations.

Hours after recalling the Indian High Commissioner and some other officials from Canada, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats. The Canadian diplomats have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 pm on October 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The diplomats who have been expelled are Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary and Ian Ross David Trites, First Secretary. The other two diplomats are Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary, and Paula Orjuela, First Secretary.

The decision to pull back Indian diplomats was made public shortly after Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi. During the meeting, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar conveyed India's strong objections to what it described as Canada's "concocted" charges, dismissing them as part of a broader political agenda tied to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's domestic electoral considerations.