India reportedly demands Canada take back dozens of Diplomats

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his government is “not looking to escalate” a diplomatic row with New Delhi, but declined to say whether Canada would match India’s reported decision to ask for the removal 41 Canadian diplomats.

Trudeau made the comments on his way into the Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday, hours after India told Canada that it must repatriate 41 diplomats by Oct. 10, according to a news report.

The newspaper, citing people familiar with the Indian demand, said India had threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of diplomats who were told to leave and who remain after Oct. 10. Asked if his government would retaliate by asking India to remove diplomats based in Canada, Trudeau insisted his government would try to keep working with New Delhi.

Ties between India and Canada have deteriorated in recent weeks, after Trudeau announced there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the assassination of Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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