India has reportedly requested Canada to withdraw around 40 diplomats from the country by October 10, citing worsening ties between the two nations. New Delhi has communicated that failure to withdraw the diplomats by the deadline will result in the loss of their diplomatic immunity. Currently, there are over 60 Canadian diplomats posted in India.
The deteriorating relations between the two countries escalated last month after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that Indian intelligence agents may have been involved in the murder of Sikh pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, both nations expelled one diplomat each, with India calling Canada’s allegations “politically driven.”