Diplomatic Escalation: India Summons Canada Envoy; Withdraws Its Ambassador From Ottawa Citing Safety

Canada has termed Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as 'person of interest' in connection with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Amid the ongoing dimplomatic slugfest, India on Monday summoned Canadian envoy. Canadian Chargé d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler reached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Monday evening after receiving the summon. Soon after the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs announced to withdraw its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomatic staff who are at the centre of the fresh diplomatic row. 

#WATCH | Delhi: Canadian Chargé d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler reaches the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after being summoned by the Ministry. pic.twitter.com/iKbdUvoXbM

— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2024

In a statement released late evening, the MEA said, "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. 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."

The MEA further 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."

Canada had sent a diplomatic communication to India accusing Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma of interefering in the ongoing investigation in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. "The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics," said the MEA in a statement released earlier during the day.

The MEA said that Canada has also not given any proof in the allegations it levelled against India. "Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains," said the MEA.

India also indirectly accused Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of supporting Khalistani extremism for vote bank politics. "Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India, said the MEA.