Kwatra said that the Indian side raised grave concerns over the recent threat video uploaded by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, wherein he threatened the Indian government and Air India to blow up the flight on November 19.
The Diwali celebration in Canada came at a time when the relations between India and Ottawa reached a new low after PM Justin Trudeau alleged Indian agents were behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Verma, who has been facing multiple death threats from Canadian citizens and is a victim of persistent trolls on social media platforms, asked Canada to show proof of India or his government's involvement in the murder of Nijjar.
Joly further said that she was in touch with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and highlighted decades of the India-Canada relationship. She also underscored that both countries have strong people-to-people ties.
Joly announced that 41 Canadian diplomats and their family members have left India after New Delhi set a deadline, after which their diplomatic immunity would be revoked. She also announced that consular services will be closed in three cities - Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chandigarh.
Amid reports that India asked 41 Canadian diplomats to leave the country in order to maintain parity of diplomats, the Ministry of External Affairs did not reject the media report but said that "discussions are ongoing to achieve the parity".
During the conversation with the Jordan King, Trudeau briefed the situation between Canada and India and said all should "respect the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations". He said in reference to media reports that claimed India would expel at least 41 Canadian diplomats.
Independent blogger Jennifer Zeng claimed that Chinese agents tracked Nijjar and killed him using silenced guns. The purpose of the 'assassination' was to disrupt world order amid Xi Jinping's policies against Taiwan, she claims.
Sharing the details about his conversation, Trudeau said he raised the issue of India with his UAE Excellency and added "New Delhi should apprehend the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law".
During the conversation, Trudeau raised the matter of Canadian diplomats reportedly told to leave India. The Ministry of External Affairs cited "interference in internal matters" in seeking parity in diplomatic presence.
Aghi warned that Canada will try to leverage the US to put pressure on India amid the row and it might impact the relations between Washington and New Delhi for some time. He also alleged Trudeau's remarks were for "his own political survival".
The Ministry of External Affairs said that "discussions are ongoing to achieve the parity" amid reports of India seeking removal of 41 Canadian diplomats. The Ministry also cited "inteference in our internal matters" in asking for reduction.
Earlier, a media report claimed that India ordered the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi to minimise their diplomats in order to maintain 'parity' and to avoid their interference in India's internal matters.
A British Sikh man was seen being led away by police officers on patrol during Monday’s protest, called to demand UK government intervention over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims of alleged Indian involvement in the killing of wanted terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Earlier, a media report claimed that US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti informed his in-country team that relations between New Delhi and Ottawa could get worse for a time and the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials.
Trudeau, whose comments in the Parliament had rocked the relations between India and Canada, corrected the Speaker for designating him only "honourable Prime Minister" and asked him to call him "Very honourable".
Tensions flared between India and Canada last month following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated".
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly asserted that the Canadian government were in close contact with its Indian counterparts and added PM Justin Trudeau-led government would like to engage "privately".
Trudeau acknowledged that Canada is going through an "extremely challenging time" with India and said that he would attempt to engage "responsibly and constructively" with New Delhi on the matter.
State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference said that the Biden administration made it clear then, and added "I’ll reiterate now, we remain in close coordination with our Canadian colleagues on this question".
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