Ties between Canada and India have deteriorated further, with the former dismissing scores of Indian personnel from its diplomatic missions in India due to the Indian regime's attempt to kill pro-Khalistani Sikhs on Canadian territory.
Last year, tens of thousands of Canadian Sikhs voted in many Canadian cities for the Khalistan Referendum, which was organized by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual Canadian and US national.
In June 2023, an Indian killed SFJ and Khalistan Referendum's Canada organizer, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, at Canada's largest Gurdwara and attempted to kill Pannun in New York.
A spokesperson for the Canadian High Commission said the drop in the number of Indian employees was necessary given the country's declining Canadian workforce. "I can confirm that the Government of Canada has implemented some staff reductions across our network of missions in India," the spokesperson stated.
However, the statement added that the high commission was grateful for the perseverance, devotion, and service of its local workers in India.
Following the assassination of leading Khalistani Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Colombia, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind the killing, prompting India to direct the departure of 41 Canadian ambassadorial staff members.
Last week, Trudeau spoke out against the execution of Nijjar by Indian security agents on Canadian territory last year, saying that his administration stood up to defend all Canadians' rights and liberties.