Diplomatic row intensifies; India expels six Canadian diplomats, recalls envoy from Ottawa

GUWAHATI, Oct 15: New Delhi has ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, asking them to leave the country by Saturday while also recalling it’s envoy from Ottawa as diplomatic rift between the two countries widened.

The External Affairs Ministry ordered the expulsion of Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner of Canada to India; Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner; Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary; lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary; Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary and Paula Orjuela, First Secretary of the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi.

They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, the External Affairs Ministry stated.

Meanwhile, the central government decided to withdraw its high commissioner to Canada and other “targeted” diplomats and officials from Canada in response to Ottawas attempt to link them to a probe into the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On the other hand, Canada has also adopted a tit-for-tat approach, and has asked six Indian diplomats to leave the country.