New Delhi - Amidst strained diplomatic relations, India has requested Canada to recall dozens of its diplomats from India, as reported by the Financial Times. New Delhi has set a firm deadline of October 10 for the repatriation of approximately 41 diplomats, according to sources familiar with the matter. Canada currently maintains a diplomatic contingent of 62 personnel in India, and India had previously communicated its expectation for a reduction of 41 diplomats.

This request comes in the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the two countries, exacerbated by Ottawa's allegations against New Delhi regarding the assassination of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil. India had earlier taken measures such as suspending visa services in Canada and suspending a diplomat in a retaliatory response to Canada's accusations.

Tensions between India and Canada have escalated significantly due to Canadian suspicions that Indian government agents may have been involved in the June murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was also a Canadian citizen and designated as a "terrorist" by India. India has vehemently rejected these allegations as baseless.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Notably, Canada has yet to provide public evidence supporting its claims related to Nijjar's killing.

In response to the situation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed a desire to engage constructively with India concerning these allegations. Meanwhile, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has highlighted long-standing concerns related to terrorism, extremism, and violence in Canada, indicating that the issue with Canada has persisted for some time. He also affirmed that the Indian government remains open to examining any specific and pertinent information shared by the Canadian side regarding the matter.