The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced the expelling of six Canadian diplomats including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler amid an escalating row over the investigation into the murder of pro-Khalistan Sikh radical Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a statement released late on Monday, the government said it has expelled Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner; Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner; Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary; lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary; Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary; and Paula Orjuela, First Secretary.
It added that the diplomats have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday (October 19).
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The announcement comes hours after India decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials. The major escalation of tension between the two countries come amid an investigation into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The MEA earlier today lambasted Canada for dragging the name of Sanjay Kumar Verma, New Delhi’s envoy to Ottawa, in its investigation into the murder of Nijjar.
The MEA summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Stewart Wheeler. The Canadian Charge d'Affaires (CDA) was summoned by MEA's Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar and it was underlined to him that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau government's actions endangered the safety of Indian diplomats and other officials.
"The Canadian Charge d’Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening. He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable," the ministry stated.
"It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government's actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian Government's commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials. It was also conveyed that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government’s support for extremism, violence and separatism against India," the MEA statement added.
The MEA said India received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in a matter related to an investigation in that country.
The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.