India's Actions Making Life Hard For Millions: Canada PM Trudeau

India's actions are making life extremely difficult for millions of people in both India and Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.

His statement comes a day after Canada withdrew 41 diplomats following an Indian threat to unilaterally revoke their status.

Tensions flared between India and Canada last month following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

"The Indian government is making it unbelievably difficult for life as usual to continue for millions of people in India and in Canada. And they're doing it by contravening a very basic principle of diplomacy," Reuters quoted Trudeau as telling reporters.

"It's something that has me very concerned for the well-being and happiness of millions of Canadians who trace their origins to the Indian subcontinent," he added.

Trudeau stated that the removal of several of Canada's diplomats would disrupt travel and trade, creating challenges for Indian students studying in Canada.

Canada is home to around two million individuals with Indian heritage, constituting 5 per cent of its total population. India serves as the most significant source of international students for Canada, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of all study permit holders.

Canada accepted New Delhi's request to recall 41 out of its 62 diplomats in India. However, it contended that India's action, compelling Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India, contravened international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"We have been engaged with the Canadian side on this over the last month in order to work out the details and modalities of its implementation," said the MEA spokesperson, adding: "Our actions in implementing this parity are fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations".

India has rejected Canada's allegation that its move to ensure parity in the diplomatic presence of the two nations in each other's capital was "a violation of international norms".

India has dismissed Canada's claim that its move to ensure parity in the diplomatic presence of the two nations in each other's capital was "a breach of international standards."