New Delhi, Oct 14 . India has decided to recall its High Commissioner and some other diplomats from Ottawa “to ensure security” in view of Canada’s “absurd allegations”.
After Canada’s recent allegations, India summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler here on Monday evening and informed him about this. At the same time, India categorically denied Canada’s allegations. India told him that the “baseless targeting” of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada is not acceptable to India.
The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “It was reported that this move of the Trudeau government had posed a threat to their security amid an atmosphere of extremism and violence. We do not believe in the commitment of the current Canadian government to ensure their safety. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to recall the High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials who are being targeted.”
The ministry has also conveyed to Wheeler that “India reserves the right to take further measures in the future in response to the Trudeau government’s support for extremism, violence and separatism against India”.
It is noteworthy that the Canadian government had last year alleged that Indian agents were behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a terrorist declared by India, in Canada. It informed the Indian government on Sunday that the names of the Indian High Commissioner and diplomats in Canada are emerging in the investigation into this case.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on Monday afternoon, “We received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday, stating that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Indian government rejects these absurd allegations and considers them part of the Trudeau government’s political agenda, which is focused on vote bank politics.” “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian government has not shared evidence with the Indian government despite multiple requests from us. Once again, claims have been made without any facts. This leaves no doubt that this is a deliberate strategy to malign India for political gains under the pretext of an investigation,” the statement said.
