Canada and India have each expelled six diplomats in tit-for-tat moves as part of an escalating dispute over the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada.

Canada announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats Monday, including the high commissioner, after police investigations linked agents of the Indian government to homicides, harassment and other “acts of violence” against Sikh separatists in the country.

India earlier said it had ordered the expulsion of six top Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner, and said it had withdrawn its envoy from Canada, contradicting Canada's statement that it had expelled the envoy.