“The Indian government is making it unbelievably difficult for life as usual to continue for millions of people in India and in Canada. And they’re doing it by contravening a very basic principle of diplomacy. It’s something that has me very concerned for the wellbeing and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the Indian subcontinent,” Trudeau told reporters during a televised press conference on Friday.

He also contended that the crackdown would hamper travel and trade, and pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada.

Ties between the two countries had taken a hit last month after Trudeau claimed there were ‘credible allegations’ linking Indian authorities to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi has dismissed the allegations as ‘absurd’.

As the diplomatic crisis stretches on, Foreign Minister Joly said on Thursday that India has formally conveyed its plan to “unilaterally remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by tomorrow, October 20.”

Parity has been sought in the diplomatic representations of our (India) Missions in Ottawa and New Delhi. There is no impact on Canadian diplomatic strength in their Consulates in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chandigarh. The Canadian decision to cease operations of their three consulates in India is unilateral, and not related to the implementation of parity: Sources

(With inputs from agencies)

“,” he told reporters at a in Brampton, Ontario.

Trudeau said the expulsion of some of Canada’s diplomats

Around two million Canadians, 5% of the overall population, have Indian heritage. India is by far Canada’s largest source of global students, making up for roughly 40% of study permit holders.

The Indian foreign ministry earlier rejected the idea it had violated the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

“The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa,” it said in a statement. Canada now has 21 diplomats remaining in India.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Rod Nickel)

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Updated: 20 Oct 2023, 09:58 PM IST