North News
New Delhi, October 14
India announced on Monday the withdrawal of its High Commissioner and several diplomats from Canada, citing security concerns and a lack of trust in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Canadian Charge d’Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) to address what it called the “baseless targeting” of Indian diplomats in Canada.
The MEA emphasized that the actions of the Trudeau government, in an atmosphere of rising extremism and violence, had endangered the safety of Indian diplomats. “We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s ability to ensure their security,” said the ministry, adding that India reserves the right to take further action against Canada’s alleged support for extremism and separatism targeting India.
India has also expelled six Canadian diplomats, instructing them to leave the country by October 19.
IIndia firmly rejected Canada’s request to question its diplomats in an ongoing investigation, labeling the accusations as politically motivated. The MEA described these claims as “preposterous,” accusing the Trudeau government of pursuing a vote bank-driven agenda. High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, a veteran diplomat with over 36 years of experience, was defended by the ministry, which dismissed the allegations against him as “ludicrous.”
Tensions between the two countries escalated in September 2023, when Trudeau made accusations against India without providing evidence, according to Indian officials. The MEA also criticized Trudeau’s previous actions, including his 2018 visit to India, which it said was aimed at appeasing a specific voter base. The ministry pointed out that members of Trudeau’s cabinet have been associated with extremist and separatist movements against India.
The Indian government accused Trudeau of using the India issue to deflect attention from domestic problems, as his government faces scrutiny over foreign interference in Canadian politics. The MEA further criticized the Trudeau administration for providing a platform to violent extremists and terrorists, who it claimed have harassed and threatened Indian diplomats in Canada under the pretext of free speech.
India has indicated it may take further reciprocal actions, following what it sees as unjustified targeting of its diplomats.
