India declared itself determined on Thursday to reduce the Canadian diplomatic presence on its territory – although it has not yet set a deadline – following the shock caused by the Canadian government’s accusations that the Asian country was involved in assassination of a Sikh separatist leader. suburb of Vancouver.

New Delhi has dismissed the accusations as absurd.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a news conference that the two countries were studying “modalities to achieve” parity at diplomatic representation levels. He added that he would not go into detail.

A few days ago, a Canadian official said India wanted Canada to withdraw 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country.

Asked whether Canada had presented evidence to support its accusations, Bagchi simply reiterated New Delhi’s position that it is open to studying “anything relevant and specific” that Canada presents.

India canceled visas for Canadians. Canada has not responded to this situation. Previously, the two countries had each expelled a high-ranking diplomat.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apparently tried to calm the diplomatic storm by saying his country “is not looking to provoke or make things bigger.”

For years, India has accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists who are fighting for the creation of Khalistan, a Sikh nation located in the northern state of Punjab.

Bagchi insisted Thursday that Canada should improve the security situation for its diplomats. New Delhi says its diplomats do not feel safe traveling to work at the North American country’s diplomatic missions because Sikh separatists have created a climate of fear.

Trudeau said last month there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Niijar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader killed by masked men in June in Surrey, near Vancouver.

For years, India has claimed that Niijar, a Canadian citizen born in India, had links to terrorism, which Niijar has always denied.