New Delhi: India’s actions are making life extremely difficult for millions of people in India and Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.
“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,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying.
“It’s something that has me very concerned for the well-being and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the Indian subcontinent,” Trudeau said, adding that the expulsion of some Canadian diplomats will pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada.
Canada on Thursday confirmed the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India.
Indian government asked its Canadian counterpart to reduce its diplomatic presence in India to ensure a parity as India has a far lesser number of diplomats in Canada.
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada hit a low after Trudeau’s public allegation that India had a role in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar at Vancouver in June.
India dismissed the allegation and accused Canada of providing safe haven to terrorists.
