India – Canada ties hit next level of escalation, 6 Canadian diplomats expelled in response

In a quick response to Canada’s move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Monday, just hours after announcing the withdrawal of its High Commissioner and other key officials from Canada. The move comes as relations between the two nations deteriorate, with India citing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ongoing “hostility” towards New Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement confirming the expulsion of the diplomats, who have been instructed to leave India by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. Among those expelled are Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner, and several senior officials, including Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner, and First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, and Paula Orjuela.

India’s decision was conveyed to Stewart Wheeler, Canada’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, who was summoned to the MEA. Indian officials condemned what they called the “baseless targeting” of their diplomats in Canada, and expressed deep concern for the safety of Indian representatives amidst what they described as a hostile environment fostered by the Trudeau government.

“The actions of the Trudeau government have created an atmosphere of extremism and violence, jeopardizing the safety of Indian diplomats,” the MEA statement said. “We have lost confidence in the Canadian government’s ability to ensure their security, and thus have made the decision to withdraw our High Commissioner and other targeted officials.”

India’s diplomatic retaliation comes after Ottawa labeled Indian diplomats as “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation, a claim New Delhi has strongly rejected as “preposterous.” In a strongly-worded response earlier in the day, India accused the Trudeau government of “consciously” allowing extremists and separatists to operate freely in Canada, leading to harassment and intimidation of Indian officials and community leaders.

The MEA also warned that India reserves the right to take further action in response to what it perceives as Canadian support for extremism, violence, and separatism aimed at undermining India’s sovereignty.

The diplomatic rift marks a new low in India-Canada relations, with both countries now recalling high-ranking officials as tensions continue to simmer over issues of security and sovereignty.