India asks Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomats amid Nijjar killing row

The Indian government has asked Canada to repatriate dozens of diplomats from the country by October 10. Ottawa has been told by New Delhi to withdraw roughly 40 diplomats within a week, the Financial Times said in a report quoting sources. Meanwhile, the Canadian foreign ministry and the Indian government have refused to comment on the matter. However, New Delhi had previously said that it wanted the Canadian government to maintain “parity” in the number and grade of diplomats both countries post to the other. Relations between India and Canada have hit rock bottom after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents had “links” with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India also blocked visa services for Canadians last month. In a message to Indian stock exchanges on Thursday, BLS International, which manages visa applications for Indian citizens in Canada, stated that visa services “have been suspended until further notice”. Canada updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India asking them to “stay vigilant and exercise caution.” “In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution,” the Canadian government said in an updated advisory.