India and Canada expel diplomats in Sikh separatist murder row [Video]

Canada and India have expelled each other diplomats in a row sparked by the murder of a Sikh separatist campaigner in British Columbia.

The Canadian foreign ministry said it had banished six top Indian diplomats and consular officials after India ordered the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats and withdrew its envoy from Canada.

The moves represent a major deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two Commonwealth countries, which have been frayed since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had evidencelinking Indian agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.

India has long denied Trudeau’s accusation and accused the Canadian leader of pursuing a “political agenda.”

It comes after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada are leveraging their official positions to engage in clandestine activities.

“The decision to expel these individuals was made with great consideration and …