Canada expels Indian diplomats after tying government agents to serious criminal activity | National & World [Video]

(CNN) — Canada announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats Monday, including the high commissioner, after police investigations linked agents of the Indian government to homicides, harassment and other “acts of violence” against Sikh separatists in the country.

“Global Affairs Canada today announced that six Indian diplomats and consular officials had received a notice of expulsion from Canada in relation to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India,” read a statement shared by the department, which is headed by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly.

The extraordinary step has sharply escalated diplomatic tensions between the countries, with India swiftly expelling six Canadian diplomats in response, including the acting High Commissioner, Stewart Ross Wheeler, according to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

The Indian government has called the accusations “preposterous” and said it was withdrawing the officials “targeted” by the Canadian government. “There …