New Delhi: India-Canada relations have suffered another major setback. After the decision to recall its diplomats from Canada, now the Indian government has decided to expel 6 Canadian diplomats from the country.

Giving information in this regard, the Ministry of External Affairs wrote, 'The Government of India has decided to expel the following 6 Canadian diplomats:'

• Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner,
• Patrick Hébert, Deputy High Commissioner,
• Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary
• Lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary
• Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary
• Paula Orejuela, First Secretary.

You will have to leave the country by October 19

The Ministry of External Affairs said that these officials will have to leave India on or before 11:59 pm on Saturday, 19 October 2024. Earlier, India had summoned High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler on Monday evening and told him that India had decided to withdraw more of its diplomats from Canada.

Canada made allegations

On the other hand, Canada says that it has obtained important information about criminal activity conducted by agents of the Indian government. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner, Mike Duhem, said, 'The investigation revealed that Indian diplomats and consulate officials based in Canada were involved in secret activities like collecting information for the Indian government by taking advantage of their position.'

"They operate either directly or through their agents and other individuals. The evidence also shows that a variety of entities in Canada have been used by agents of the Indian government to collect information. Some of these individuals and businesses were coerced and intimidated into working with the Indian government," he said.

Evidence shown to authorities: Canada

He further alleged, 'The information collected by the Indian government is used to target members of the South Asian community. This evidence was presented directly to Indian government officials, urging their cooperation in preventing violence and requesting our law-enforcement agencies to work together to resolve this issue.'

It is worth noting that the main center of the dispute between India and Canada is the murder of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian government has openly accused the Indian government of being behind his murder. However, India has been clearly denying these allegations and India says that Justin Trudeau is deliberately defaming India for his political gains.

India had warned

The situation worsened further on Monday when the Canadian government tried to involve the Indian High Commissioner in the investigation of Nijjar's murder. India strongly objected to this and warned of taking strong steps in response to any such attempt. After this, India summoned the Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi on Monday evening and announced the withdrawal of its diplomats from Canada.