Top envoys of India and Canada have expelled each other’s diplomats as Justin Trudeau’s government accused Indian agents of involvement in homicides, extortion, and violent acts.

The criminal activity was said to have happened on Canadian soil.

According to the police, the criminal activity particularly targeted supporters of the pro-Khalistan movement.

Officials said a dozen agents had been involved but didn’t confirm if they were linked directly to the June 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Delhi rejected the allegations as “preposterous.”

Relations between Delhi and Ottawa have been strained since Mr Trudeau said Canada had credible evidence linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s murder.

The rift also led to a deterioration in ties, with India asking Canada to withdraw dozens of its diplomatic staff and suspending visa services.

In a statement issued by India’s foreign ministry on Monday, Canada was accused of being influenced by Sikh separatist campaigners.

It also warned of action without specifying what it would be.

“India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats,” the statement read.

Delhi also defended its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, referring to his “distinguished career spanning 36 years.”

“The aspersions cast on him by the government of Canada are ludicrous and deserve to be treated with contempt,” it said.

There was no immediate Canadian response to Delhi’s statement.

The country’s deputy head of mission in Delhi, Stuart Wheeler, was summoned by India’s External Affairs Ministry to explain Canada’s move.

“He was informed that the baseless targeting of the Indian high commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable,” a ministry statement said.

“We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed by two masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple he led in Surrey, British Columbia.

He had been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, which demands a separate Sikh homeland, and publicly campaigned for it.

India has in the past described him as a terrorist who led a militant separatist group—accusations his supporters called unfounded.

Canadian police called his killing a “targeted attack.”

In September 2023, Mr Trudeau told Canada’s parliament that allegations of Indian involvement in the killing were based on Canadian intelligence.

He called the act a violation of Canada’s sovereignty.

India has vehemently denied all allegations and maintained that Canada has provided no evidence to support its claims.

Frosty ties between the two countries seemed to have thawed slightly after India resumed processing visas in October 2023.