Canada's foreign minister, Melanie Joly, announced on Thursday that the country had recalled 41 of its diplomats from India. The decision came after the Indian government stated that it would revoke their diplomatic immunity. This move further escalated an ongoing diplomatic spat between the two countries over the slaying of a Sikh separatist in Canada.

The tensions began when Canada accused India of potential involvement in the June killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in suburban Vancouver. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even suggested that Indian officials could have played a role in the assassination, sparking a heated exchange between the two nations that has lasted for months.

In response to Canada's allegations, India denied any involvement in the murder and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat. This action prompted Canada to recall a significant number of its diplomats, along with their dependents, from India. Out of Canada's 62 diplomats in India, 41 have been removed, with exceptions made for 21 diplomats who will remain in the country.

Foreign Minister Joly expressed concern over the removal of diplomatic immunity, stating that it is contrary to international law and a violation of the Geneva Convention on diplomatic relations. She emphasized that Canada would not retaliate by revoking the immunity of Indian diplomats, as doing so would escalate the situation further.

As a result of India's decision, Canada announced that it would suspend in-person services in three major cities in India. This move is expected to impact the level of services provided to citizens of both countries. Joly emphasized that Canada's decision to limit services was due to the reduction in diplomatic staff and not a deliberate action against Indian citizens.

The relationship between Canada and India has become strained, with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau having frosty encounters with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent meeting in New Delhi. Following the meeting, Canada canceled a trade mission to India that had been planned for the fall.

The United States has also become involved in the dispute, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with India's foreign minister to discuss the tensions. Blinken emphasized the importance of the Canadian investigation into Nijjar's murder and called for India's cooperation.

The slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has brought attention to the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create an independent Sikh homeland. Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader, was killed by masked gunmen in June outside Vancouver. While India has previously accused Nijjar of having links to terrorism, he denied these allegations.

The ongoing diplomatic clash between Canada and India has had repercussions for both countries. India has canceled visas for Canadians, and Canada has experienced delays in processing visas and immigration applications for Indian citizens. Canada is determined to maintain its commitment to welcoming Indian citizens, but the reduction in diplomatic staff is expected to cause short-term delays.

As tensions between the two countries continue to rise, it remains unclear how the situation will be resolved. Both Canada and India have emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into Nijjar's murder, while also expressing their concerns over the actions of the other party. The impact of this dispute on bilateral relations and future cooperation between Canada and India remains uncertain.