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India-Canada row: New Delhi tells Ottawa to remove 41 diplomats amid row over Sikh separatist’s killing
- Move ramps up tensions between the countries over Canadian accusations India may have been involved in the death of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar
- Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said there were ‘credible allegations’ of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing in June
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India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, an official familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, ramping up a confrontation between the two countries over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.
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The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly. The official confirmed an earlier report from the Financial Times.
The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the Indian demand, said India had threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of those diplomats told to leave who remained after October 10.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment.
03:15
Canadian PM says authorities investigating ‘credible’ links to India on Sikh leader’s murder
Canadian PM says authorities investigating ‘credible’ links to India on Sikh leader’s murder
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to confirm the report of the expulsions but said Ottawa was not looking to escalate the dispute.
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“We’re taking this extremely seriously, but we’re going to continue to engage responsibly and constructively within with the Government of India,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
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