Canada pulling diplomats from India, cites 'threat' amid tension over Trudeau's allegation

The Canadian government is withdrawing some of its diplomats from India as tensions escalate in the aftermath of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding the possible involvement of India's government in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, according to a report by The National Post (Canadian Newspaper).

Jean-Pierre Godbout, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, confirmed to The National Post on Wednesday evening (local time) that Canada had decided to reduce the presence of its staff in India due to the current heightened environment.

“In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India,” he wrote in an email, as reported by the Canadian Newspaper.

Canada pulling some diplomats from India

He further explained, "As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally-engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity."

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made statements asserting that Canada's security services had "credible allegations" regarding the involvement of Indian government agents in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. Notably, Nijjar was a wanted individual in India and a pro-Khalistan leader.

India promptly and vehemently denied any involvement in the killing and dismissed the accusations as baseless. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an official statement, saying, "Allegations of the Indian government’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

In response to the escalating situation, which began with Canada's allegations and the subsequent expulsion of an Indian diplomat, India also took reciprocal measures by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat from India.