Canada PM Justin Trudeau said his government had "credible allegations"
India today announced expulsion of a Canadian diplomat hours after Canada asked an Indian official to leave that country, citing a "potential" Indian link to the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader in June.
The Canadian High Commissioner to India was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and informed about the decision to expel the senior Canadian diplomat.
India rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation that it played a role in the June killing of a Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar describing it as "absurd" and "motivated".
India's reaction came after Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that the Indian government may have had links to the assassination of a Sikh leader in that country.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said that his government had "credible allegations" linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom India had declared a wanted terrorist. Nijjar was killed on June 18 in Surrey.
Here are the Highlights on Canada's action against India:
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On Canada PM Justin Trudeau's "India's Agents" Charge, US Says ThisSoon after Canada Prime Minister accused India of being behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the US said it is "deeply concerned" about the allegations.
"The US was deeply concerned about the allegations disclosed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in an emailed statement.
"It is critical that Canada's investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice," Ms Watson said.
Canadian Envoy Avoids Media After Tense Meeting With New DelhiIndia expelled an unnamed Canadian diplomat today in a reciprocal move after Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat following Justin Trudeau's allegation of India's role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay, was summoned by New Delhi and he was seen leaving the foreign ministry offices after the tense meeting in a video.
In the video, Mr Mackay was seen grimly striding to his car brushing away mics and ignoring the media.
"The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India," a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Here is India's statement on expelling a senior Canadian Diplomat:
The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.
The decision reflects Government of India's growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.
Update- India expels a senior Canadian Diplomat
India expels Canadian diplomat amid tension over Justin Trudeau's allegation linked to Khalistani terrorist's killing
India summons Canadian envoy amid tension over Justin Trudeau's allegation linked to Khalistani terrorist's killing
Update- Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay reaches the MEA headquarters in South Block, New Delhi.
Here is India's full statement rejecting allegations by Canada:
We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister.
Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.
Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.
We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law.
Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern.
That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.
The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new.
We reject any attempts to connect Government of India to such developments.
We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.
India Responds To Trudeau's Charge On Khalistani Terrorist Killing The Indian government "completely rejected" the Canadian PM's allegations and said their political figures openly expressing sympathy for "such elements" remains a matter of deep concern."Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said a foreign ministry statement.
Canada PM's Big Charge On Khalistani Terrorist KillingPrime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government had "credible allegations" linking Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in June last year with the "agents of the Government of India".