Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Jean-Pierre Godbu announced Ottawa’s plans to reduce the number of diplomatic staff in New Delhi due to the crisis in bilateral relations. This was reported by National Post.
“The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs is re-evaluating its headcount in India as some diplomats have received threats on various social media platforms. <..> Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily ‘adjust’ the headcount in India,” the diplomat said.
Tensions rose after Canada and India accused Canada of orchestrating an assassination attempt on Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leader of the Sikh community in Surrey, British Columbia. The assassination attempt on June 18 ended with Nijjar’s elimination during a visit to the temple by two masked machine gunners.
September 19 New Delhi and Ottawa suspended Negotiations continue due to disagreements. Canada also canceled its trade mission to India, which was scheduled to arrive in early October.
Previously Canada sent senior Indian diplomat.