India has taken another strict action against the Canadian government which has made serious allegations against India in the Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case. India has issued orders to expel 6 Canadian diplomats. Everyone has been ordered to leave the country on or before October 19. Earlier, India had decided to recall all its diplomats in Canada citing security reasons.
The Foreign Ministry informed on Monday evening that a decision has been taken to expel 6 Canadian diplomats. It includes Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert, First Secretary Mary Katherine Jolley, First Secretary Lane Ross David Trites, First Secretary Adam James Chuipka and Paula Orjuela. The order said that everyone has been asked to leave India on or before Saturday, October 19.
Earlier on Monday itself, India had decided to recall its High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials who were “being targeted” from Canada. This includes High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, five other diplomats and other officials. India has taken this action in response to Canada's efforts to link these officers to the investigation of the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“It is emphasized that the actions of the Justin Trudeau government in an environment of extremism and violence have put the safety of our diplomats at risk,” the Foreign Ministry said. We have no confidence in the current Canadian government's commitment to ensuring their safety. India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India.
The State Department announced the decision shortly after summoning Canada's ambassador-at-large, Stewart Ross Wheeler.