00:00 The rift widens between Canada and India, with this statement from Canada's High Commission.
00:05 "With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms,
00:10 Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result,
00:15 and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India."
00:21 Earlier on Thursday, India's official visa processor in Canada announced.
00:27 Due to operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023,
00:32 Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice.
00:35 This after tensions rose earlier this week when Canada said it was investigating
00:40 "credible allegations" linking India with the murder of a separatist leader.
00:45 Sikh independence activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down in June
00:50 outside the temple he led near Vancouver. He'd been wanted by India for years.
00:55 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government categorically rejected Canada's suspicions.
01:00 Canadian officials have so far declined to say why they believe India could be linked to Nijjar's
01:06 murder. In recent days, both nations have expelled a diplomat each, before issuing tit-for-tat travel
01:12 advisories. India urged its nationals in Canada to exercise "utmost caution" in particular students,
01:20 citing growing anti-India activities without providing evidence or details of specific
01:26 incidents. Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside the Indian state of Punjab,
01:32 and some 40% of overseas students in Canada come from India.
01:36 The spat is threatening trade ties, with talks on a proposed trade deal frozen last week.
