India Withdraws Its Envoy, Other ‘Targeted Diplomats’ From Canada

In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, India on Monday evening decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and several “targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada. The move comes in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continued “hostility” towards India and his government’s failure to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats.

The decision was communicated to Canadian Chargé d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler, who was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi. The MEA expressed that the “baseless targeting” of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats in Canada is unacceptable.

India’s Concerns Over Diplomat Safety

India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the Trudeau government’s actions have created an environment of extremism and violence, putting Indian diplomats at risk. “We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security,” the MEA said. As a result, the Government of India decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats.

The MEA also warned that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to Canada’s support for extremism and separatist movements targeting India. This decision follows a diplomatic communication from Canada claiming that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are “persons of interest” in an investigation. India called these allegations “preposterous” and politically motivated.

Longstanding Issues Between India and Canada

New Delhi has repeatedly criticized the Trudeau government for allegedly providing a platform for extremists who harass and intimidate Indian diplomats and the Indian community in Canada. “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with India, despite numerous requests,” the MEA said.

The Indian government also pointed out a history of “conscious” support by the Trudeau administration for separatists advocating for violence against India. Incidents of Hindu temples being vandalized and targeted attacks on the Indian community in Canada have further strained ties between the two nations.

The MEA’s statement accused Trudeau of using vote bank politics to align with separatist elements, particularly through his association with politicians who openly support anti-India movements. The MEA noted that this diplomatic rift escalates as Trudeau prepares to testify before a commission on foreign interference in Canada.

India has also criticized Canada for disregarding multiple extradition requests for individuals involved in terrorism and organized crime. The MEA underscored that Canada’s actions have included fast-tracking citizenship for individuals who entered the country illegally.

India’s Diplomatic Response and Future Steps

The Indian government expressed disappointment over Canada’s approach to handling diplomatic matters, stressing that Ottawa’s accusations against High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, a senior Indian diplomat with 36 years of experience, were “ludicrous.” Verma has served in countries such as Japan, Sudan, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, and China.

The MEA noted that India had implemented reciprocity regarding diplomatic representation and reserved the right to take further actions in response to Canada’s efforts to damage relations with India. The withdrawal of Indian diplomats marks one of the lowest points in Indo-Canadian relations in recent years.

The diplomatic rift comes after Trudeau claimed to have had a “brief exchange” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Laos last week. This latest development follows months of growing tensions, with India repeatedly warning Canada about the consequences of harboring anti-India extremist groups within its borders.

Also Read: India Slams Canada’s ‘Preposterous’ Allegations, Accuses Trudeau Of Political Motives