India to withdraw high commissioner, other 'targeted' diplomats from Canada

India on Monday (October 14) decided to withdraw its high commissioner and other "targeted" diplomats and officials from Canada in response to Ottawa's attempt to link them to a probe into the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the decision shortly after summoning the Canadian charge d'affaires Stewart Wheeler.

Also read: India summons Canadian diplomat after Ottawa's move against envoy

"The Canadian Charge d'Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening. He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable," the MEA said.

"It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau government's actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian government's commitment to ensure their security," it said in a statement.

Also read: Nijjar murder: India rebukes Trudeau over allegations, demands proof

"Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials," the MEA said.

"It was also conveyed that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India," it said.

Earlier, India termed the "imputations" as "preposterous" and called them "centered around vote bank politics" of the Trudeau government.

"We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics," MEA said in a statement.