The move by the Indian government comes as the two countries have been locked in a dispute following the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada last year.
India on Monday recalled its ambassador to Canada and other diplomats from its mission in Ottawa after the Canadian government identified them as persons of interest in an investigation, according to a statement released on Monday by the Indian foreign ministry.
The government in New Delhi cited “an atmosphere of extremism and violence” which it said endangers their diplomats’ safety in Canada, taking a grave step in a diplomatic standoff that has been escalating for more than a year.
The statement did not explain what the investigation was about and the Canadian government has not issued any response. A spokeswoman for the Canadian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two countries have been in an intense dispute following the assassination of a Canadian Sikh cleric in British Columbia in June 2023, which the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the time had been orchestrated by the Indian government.
Canada is home to a large Sikh community and India has said that some Sikhs in Canada are actively involved in a secessionist movement that seeks to carve out a Sikh homeland.
The Indian government has vehemently denied the accusations that it was involved in the killing of the cleric and has claimed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada is pandering to Canada’s large Sikh community for political gain.
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Source: Elections - nytimes.com
