Canada and India have each expelled six diplomats in tit-for-tat moves as part of an escalating dispute over the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada.  

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Monday that Canada was expelling six Indian diplomats including the high commissioner after police uncovered evidence of a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents of the Indian government.

The Indian foreign ministry said that it was expelling six Canadian diplomats. It had said earlier that India was withdrawing its diplomats after rejecting Canada’s notification that the Indian ambassador was a “person of interest” in the assassination.

Canada’s acting high commissioner in India — who is also among those expelled — told local media that Canada provided New Delhi with –quote– “irrefutable evidence” of ties between Indian government agents and the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, which India is rejecting.

Stewart Wheeler and his colleagues have been given until next Saturday to leave India. 

The RCMP says an extraordinary situation compelled police to reveal details of an ongoing investigation involving homicides and other violent acts targeting the South Asian community, specifically those involved with the separatist Khalistani movement. 

India has rejected the allegations.

With files from the Canadian Press, and the Associated Press.