“India Making It Unbelievably Difficult” Justin Trudeau Amid Diplomatic Standoff (image-instgram/justinpjtrudau)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that India’s actions are making life difficult for millions of people living in both the countries after Canada confirmed the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India. He then added that this will delay the visa services in India. The country has now only 21 diplomats remaining in India.

Canada called India’s move unreasonable and escalatory as New Delhi asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India. India has also accused these Canadian diplomats of interfering in India’s internal affairs.

“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,” Trudeau said, as quoted by Reuters.

He then added that this diplomatic row will affect the wellbeing and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the subcontinent.

The diplomatic fallout between India and Canada was triggered by Trudeau’s allegation that India had a role in the killing of Sikh separationist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While the allegation was dismissed by the Indian government calling it ‘absurd’.

Trudeau told the reporters at a televised press conference in Brampton, Ontario that the expulsion of some of Canada’s diplomats will hamper travel and trade and pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada.

Canada Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that Canada facilitated the safe departure of 41 Canadian diplomats and their 42 dependents from India. Ministry also stated that India has violated the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

“This action taken by India is completely unreasonable and escalatory. India accredited each and every one of the Canadian diplomats they are now expelling. And all of those diplomats were carrying out their duties in good faith, and to the greater benefit of both countries,” the statement said.

Over 5% of the overall population, around two million Canadians have Indian heritage. Most of the Indian students travel to Canada for abroad studies. India is thus so far Canada’s largest source of global students, making up for roughly 40% of study permit holders.