India asks Canada to withdraw 40 diplomats 

Kathmandu, 04 Oct: India has asked Canada to reduce the diplomatic presence there maintaining parity with Indian missions in Canada.

New Delhi told Ottawa to withdraw about 40 diplomats so as to bring parity with the Indian diplomatic presence in Canada, according to Indian Express.

India has about 20 diplomats in Canada, it added, while Canada has three times more in India.

“The principle of reciprocity is being invoked here, and Delhi wants the diplomatic strength to be equal in both countries,” it said.

The marked deterioration in Indo-Canada relation is an outcome of Prime Minister Trudeau alleging Indian hand in the killing of a pro-Khalistani Sikh leader in June in British Columbia while India has rejected the allegation calling it ‘absurd and motivated’.