In a significant move, India has decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats from Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday. The decision comes after growing concerns over the safety of Indian diplomats, which the MEA attributes to the actions of the Canadian government.

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate

The MEA stated that the Trudeau government’s recent actions have endangered the safety of Indian officials in Canada. “The Government of India has no faith in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensuring their security,” the statement read. As a result, New Delhi has decided to recall its High Commissioner and other diplomats.

The move follows weeks of escalating tensions between the two countries, with India strongly rejecting recent allegations made against its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma.

India’s Strong Rejection of Allegations

Earlier on Monday, India issued a stern response, dismissing the accusations as “preposterous imputations.” The MEA attributed these claims to the “political agenda of the Trudeau government,” accusing the Canadian Prime Minister of using the situation to appeal to certain voter bases.

India’s response follows a diplomatic communication from Canada suggesting that Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in an ongoing investigation. In light of this, the Indian government has reserved the right to take further actions.

Strained Relations Since September

The diplomatic rift between India and Canada has deepened since September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a separatist leader, in June 2023. India dismissed these allegations as “absurd” at the time. The tension has persisted, with no evidence being provided by Canada to substantiate the claims, according to the MEA.

Trudeau’s Past Actions Criticized

The MEA’s statement also referenced Prime Minister Trudeau’s involvement in Indian domestic matters, particularly during the farmers’ protests in December 2020. India has expressed its discontent over what it termed as Trudeau’s “naked interference” in Indian politics.

The MEA further highlighted Trudeau’s past association with individuals and groups espousing extremist and separatist ideologies concerning India, which has aggravated diplomatic relations over the years.

A Political Strategy?

India believes that the latest diplomatic confrontation is part of a deliberate strategy by the Trudeau government. “On the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains,” the MEA asserted. This comes at a time when Trudeau is set to appear before a commission investigating foreign interference in Canadian politics, raising suspicions about the timing of the allegations.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Canadian government will respond to India’s decision to withdraw its diplomats, and whether this move will further strain bilateral relations.