As relations between India and Canada continue to deteriorate, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated that the remaining Indian diplomats in Canada are "clearly on notice." This comes in the wake of both countries expelling six diplomats each over the ongoing controversy surrounding the investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader. Canada had earlier named the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa as a person of interest in Nijjar's assassination.
In what appeared to be a warning, Joly emphasized that the Canadian government would not tolerate any diplomats violating the Vienna Convention or endangering the lives of Canadians, as reported by PTI.
"We've never experienced anything like this before," Joly remarked during an event in Montreal, referring to transnational repression. "That level of interference cannot take place on Canadian soil. We've seen similar situations in Europe, with Russia operating in Germany and the UK. We needed to take a firm stand."
On Monday, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner in response to Ottawa’s allegations that an Indian official was linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada followed suit, expelling six Indian diplomats. Joly drew parallels between India's actions and Russia's, accusing Indian diplomats of involvement in killings, threats, and intimidation.
When asked if further expulsions of Indian diplomats were possible, Joly confirmed, "They are clearly on notice. Six have already been expelled, including the High Commissioner in Ottawa. The others were primarily based in Toronto and Vancouver. We will not tolerate any diplomats who violate the Vienna Convention."
Tensions between the two nations escalated last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in Nijjar’s murder. India has strongly denied these allegations, dismissing them as unfounded and politically charged.