Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to India, Stewart Wheeler, departs after meeting with officials from the Indian government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Delhi, India, on Monday, October 14, 2024. Credit – AP
NEW DELHI – India said Monday it is recalling its ambassador and other diplomats from Canada, hours after rejecting a Canadian notice that the ambassador was a “person of interest” in the killing of a Sikh activist last year.
India’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it had also summoned Canada’s top diplomat to New Delhi and told him that “the unwarranted attacks” on the Indian high commissioner, or ambassador, and other diplomats and officials in Canada were “completely unacceptable.” were.”
“We do not have confidence in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensuring their safety,” the report said. “Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations that the Indian government was linked to the killing in that country of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the accusation as absurd.
In Ottawa, messages seeking comment were sent to Canada’s foreign ministry, minister of foreign affairs and the prime minister’s office but were not immediately returned.
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