Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed concerns over the Indian government’s crackdown on Canadian diplomats, stating that it was making normal life difficult for millions of people in both India and Canada. His comments come in the wake of Canada’s withdrawal of 41 diplomats following India’s threat to unilaterally revoke their diplomatic status.

Trudeau’s concerns were articulated due to New Delhi’s reaction to his suggestion last month that Indian agents might have been allegedly involved in the murder of a Sikh terrorist in Canada in June. He emphasized that the Indian government’s actions contravened basic principles of diplomacy and had consequences for Canadians of Indian origin.

The expulsion of some Canadian diplomats could impact travel, and trade, and create difficulties for Indian students in Canada. Around two million Canadians, accounting for 5% of the population, have Indian heritage. India is the largest source of international students in Canada, making up about 40% of study permit holders.

The Indian foreign ministry rejected claims of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, emphasizing the need for mutual diplomatic parity in New Delhi and Ottawa due to the state of bilateral relations and Canadian interference 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 per a report in NDTV.

Canada now has 21 diplomats remaining in India following the expulsion of 41 diplomats.

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