India to recall its High Commissioner, other diplomats from Canada

New Delhi| India has decided to recall its High Commissioner and some other diplomats from Ottawa “to ensure security” in the wake of Canada’s “absurd allegations”. After Canada’s recent allegations, India summoned Canada’s High Commissioner in-charge Stewart Wheeler  and informed him about this. India also clearly denied Canada’s allegations. India told him that “baseless targeting” of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and other diplomats and officials was not acceptable to the country.

“It was reported that this move by the Trudeau government posed a threat to their security amid an atmosphere of extremism and violence”, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said. We do not believe in the commitment of the current Government of Canada to ensure their safety. Therefore, the Indian government has decided to recall the High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials being targeted.

The ministry has also told Wheeler that “India reserves the right to take further measures in the future in response to the Trudeau government’s support of extremism, violence and separatism against India”. The Canadian government had last year alleged that Indian agents were behind the murder of Indian-proclaimed terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. It informed the Indian government that the names of the Indian High Commissioner and diplomats in Canada are coming to light in the investigation of this case.

“We received a diplomatic communication from Canada stating that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘person of interest’ in a case related to an investigation in that country”, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on Monday afternoon. The Indian government rejects these absurd allegations and considers them part of the political agenda of the Trudeau government, which focuses on vote bank politics.

“Since, Prime Minister Trudeau made some allegations in September 2023, the Government of Canada did not share evidence with the Government of India despite several requests from our side”, the statement said. Once again claims have been made without any facts. It leaves no doubt that this is a deliberate strategy to defame India for political gain under the pretext of investigation.