India has ordered six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner and deputy high commissioner, to leave the country by the night of October 19. The move marks a further deterioration in relations between the two nations, following India's strong response to what it deems as baseless allegations against its diplomats, Indian state owned DD News reported.

Earlier in the week, India summoned Canada’s charge d’affaires, Stewart Wheeler, in New Delhi to protest claims that Indian diplomats were implicated in a murder investigation. Following these developments, India recalled its high commissioner and several other officials from Canada, citing concerns over their security under the current Canadian administration. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India dismissed the accusations as “preposterous” and attributed them to what it called a political strategy by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, aimed at garnering domestic support.

The statement criticised Trudeau’s administration for engaging in what India described as “vote bank politics” and repeated that despite numerous requests, Canada has yet to provide any evidence to back its claims, which were initially raised in September 2023. India’s sharp rebuke also touched on previous incidents, notably Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India, which the MEA alleged was an attempt to appeal to specific voter groups but ended in diplomatic discomfort.

The statement further accused Canada of sheltering extremists and those involved in organised crime, citing instances where extradition requests for individuals linked to terrorism were ignored. It also alleged that certain individuals entering Canada illegally had been fast-tracked for citizenship. The diplomatic spat escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau suggested possible Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh leader wanted in India on terrorism-related charges. India has categorically denied any such links, asserting that the allegations are politically motivated and lack credible evidence.

In its statement, the MEA highlighted the distinguished career of India’s High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, who has served in various countries, including Japan, Sudan, and China, labelling the accusations against him as unfounded and deserving of contempt. Since Trudeau’s initial remarks, tensions have persisted, with the MEA asserting that Canada’s stance stems from a deliberate effort to malign India’s image. As the October 19 deadline looms, the diplomatic standoff shows no signs of abating, raising concerns over future engagements between the two countries.