London, AYT News | Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has put the remaining Indian diplomats in Canada "clearly on notice" against any action that might endanger Canadians lives. This stern warning comes in the wake of allegations that link Indian diplomats to serious crimes including homicides, death threats, and intimidation on Canadian soil. The Canadian government's stance follows a series of events that began with the expulsion of India's high commissioner and five other diplomats from Canada. This move was based on accusations of their involvement in a campaign targeting Sikh separatist, which Canadian claims includes the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. The situation has drawn comparisons to similar diplomatic spat involving Russia, with Joly emphasizing the need for Canada to stand firm against such violations of sovereignty.
India, through its Ministry of External Affairs, has vehemently denied these allegations, instead accusing Canada of harboring individuals wanted for terrorism-related charges in India. The Indian government has pointed out the irony in Canada's accusations, given that some of the individuals at the center of the controversy are the same ones India has sought extradition for over a decade. The diplomatic stand-off has led to a significant reduction in India's diplomatic presence in Canada, following India's demand for Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff in India. This has resulted in many Canadian diplomats and their families relocating to other countries like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, as reported by various news outlets.
This incident has not only strained bilateral relations but also brought to the forefront the complex issue of diaspora politics, with significant implications for the large Indo-Canadian community. The situation underscores the challenges of managing international relations when domestic policies and diaspora activities intersect.
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