Ongoing diplomatic tensions: India expels six Canadian diplomats following Nijjar allegation

New Delhi: In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, India has announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats. This decision comes in response to the ongoing dispute regarding the investigation into the murder of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Names of expelled diplomats released

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided a statement detailing the names of the diplomats who must leave India by 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The expelled diplomats include Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, and First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka, and Paula Orjuela.

Background of the diplomatic row

Earlier in the evening, the MEA announced that it was withdrawing its own High Commissioner and other officials after they were labeled as 'persons of interest' by the Canadian government in the ongoing investigation related to Nijjar's assassination. The move signifies a deepening rift between the two nations, previously intensified by allegations of Indian involvement in the killing, which India has vehemently denied.

Strained relations: A continued pattern

The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada has been deteriorating since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of complicity in Nijjar's murder. New Delhi has consistently dismissed these allegations as “motivated and absurd,” advocating for a more constructive dialogue to resolve the growing tensions. 

This expulsion of Canadian diplomats represents a pivotal moment in Indo-Canadian relations, as both nations grapple with the ramifications of their respective actions. The situation underscores the fragile nature of diplomatic ties and the complexities involved in international relations.