India alleged Canadian diplomats in the country are interfering in its internal affairs, and informed Canada it wants a reduction in their numbers. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Canadian staff strength in India is much higher than India's presence in Canada. He accused Canada of diplomatic interference in India's affairs, which is factoring into parity being sought in rank and size of missions. Bagchi said discussions are ongoing but Canada's numbers in India will likely decrease. His remarks came as Canada's high commission adjusted staff over social media threats amid escalating tensions sparked by Canada's accusations about India's role in a Sikh separatist's killing.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Home Minister Amit Shah seeking urgent resolution of the India-Canada dispute affecting Indians abroad. Badal said the row is impacting Punjabis and Sikhs who made sacrifices for India's independence but now face negative perceptions. He highlighted concerns of Indian students in Canada worried about visa denials jeopardizing studies. Badal urged exercising restraint instead of escalation, noting over 18 lakh Indians, many Punjabis, live in Canada. Earlier, Badal said that he is writing a letter to PM Modi to quickly settle the matter before it spirals. India recently suspended visa services amid the diplomatic crisis sparked by Canada's allegations about India's role in a Sikh separatist's killing.

Amid escalating tensions, India has urged its citizens and students in Canada to exercise caution due to rising anti-India activities and hate crimes. This comes as India-Canada relations deteriorate over the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing row. India has advised registering with the High Commission in Ottawa or Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver via their websites or the MADAD portal. MADAD allows seamless connectivity between consulates and Indian citizens in emergencies. With over 300,000 Indian students in Canada, India wants them to stay vigilant and use MADAD for safety. The advisory highlights India's concerns about security risks for Indians as diplomatic ties with Canada worsen.

India confirmed on Thursday that Canadian citizens will be unable to obtain Indian visas even if applying from other countries, after it suspended services in Canada. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said no visas will be issued to Canadians from any location following the halt. Earlier, India suspended visa operations in Canada citing security threats faced by officials that disrupted functioning. MEA said the threats to diplomatic staff forced the shutdown of visa processing for Canadians worldwide. The move escalates an ongoing diplomatic spat sparked by Canada's allegations about a Khalistani activist's killing.

India termed Canada's allegations about India's role in a Khalistani activist's killing as "politically driven," amid an escalating diplomatic row. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India told Canada it's open to reviewing any evidence, but Canada hasn't shared specifics before or after the charges made by PM Justin Trudeau. Bagchi said India has given Canada detailed information on certain individuals, but Canada hasn't acted. He asserted India has specific intel on people in Canada, while Canada has provided no concrete material to back its claims. India signaled the row is being fueled by political motivations.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he is "surprised and disappointed" by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's public allegations about India's role in a Khalistani activist's killing. Tharoor said if Canada had evidence, it should have prosecuted in court. He termed the situation unhealthy as political interests dictate healthy India ties worldwide. Tharoor warned deteriorating relations should not spiral further. His remarks come as both nations expelled diplomats amid a row sparked by Trudeau's charges. Given the large Indian diaspora in Canada, plunging ties have become a domestic issue too. Tharoor and others appealed the matter be resolved from the top, fearing regular Indians and Sikhs will suffer most.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released pictures of 10 wanted accused in the case involving an attack and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, USA. The NIA is seeking information from the public on these individuals who are suspects in the criminal conspiracy. Photos of the accused have been made public as the investigation continues into the incident where the entrance door and walls of the consulate were vandalized with anti-India graffiti. Authorities are appealing to citizens who may recognize the suspects to come forward with any relevant information.

India is cracking down on Khalistani networks abroad amidst the diploamtic standoff. The National Investigation Agency released a list of 43 suspects linked to a Khalistani-gangster nexus in Canada. It offered a ₹10 lakh reward for the arrest of wanted terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu aka Rinda, promoting terror for Babbar Khalsa International. Rewards of ₹5 lakh each were announced for Rinda's associates - Parminder Singh Kaira, Satnam Singh, and Yadvinder Singh. India is escalating pressure amid a diplomatic row over Canada's stance on Khalistanis. The rewards aim to spur info leading to capture of suspects shielded in Canada.

Amid heightened tensions, Canada's High Commission in India announced it is temporarily adjusting staff levels, expecting India to provide security for its diplomats. Some Canadian diplomats received threats on social media, prompting an assessment of staff numbers in India. Locations remain open with local staff ensuring continuity. Canada will take appropriate measures to protect personnel. Decisions are based on employee profiles and circumstances. Citing Vienna conventions, Canada expects India to ensure security of its accredited diplomats like Canada does for India's. The move comes amid a diplomatic row over Canada's allegations about India's potential role in a Khalistani terrorist's killing.

When Canadian PM Justin Trudeau visited Amritsar in 2018, India handed him a list of 9 Khalistani operatives that included extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose recent killing has sparked tensions between the countries. The list named operatives booked for terror activities like Gurjeet Cheema, Gurpreet Singh, Nijjar, Gurjinder Pannu, and Malkeet Singh. However, Canada is yet to take major action against them. Nijjar's killing in June prompted Trudeau to allege India's potential involvement, leading to diplomatic expulsions. But India had flagged Nijjar to Canada years ago, underscoring frustrations over inaction against Khalistanis. To read the full list of the Khalistani Operatives, click on the link below