India Cites 'Interference In Internal Affairs' To Seek Reduction In Canadian Diplomats

India has cited Canada's "interference in internal affairs" to seek parity in diplomatic staff strength, hours after the North American nation decided to pull some of its people as tensions further escalate between the two countries.

"We have seen Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs. This is a factor that has been taken into account for seeking parity in strength and rank equivalent," said Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

"We've informed the government of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence," he said. "Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada ... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side."

India ratcheted up its offensive when ties between the two countries are at their lowest in decades. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India's most-wanted terrorists. India outright rejected the claim as "absurd" and "motivated" even as both the countries expelled a senior diplomat each in tit-for-tat moves.

Canada said it would reduce the number of diplomats in India due to security concerns.

Global Affairs Canada said some diplomats have received threats on social media platforms amid a diplomatic row triggered by Prime Minister Trudeau’s claims on Monday that Indian government agents assassinated a prominent Sikh leader on Canadian soil, Bloomberg reported, citing a statement.

"In the light of the current environment, where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats," Global Affairs Canada said. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India."

India, too, suspended visa services in Canada until further notice. "Visa is not being provided to Canadians due to security reasons. Our High Commission and consulates are facing a security threat," Bagchi said. "The services have been suspended for now.'

While e-visas have also been temporarily suspended, India students studying in Canada won't be impacted, he said.

He also alleged cases of discrimination in the way Canada granted visas in the past.