October 30, 2024: The US State Department has categorically denied reports suggesting that Washington is contemplating the expulsion of Indian diplomats amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. This denial follows Canada’s recent identification of India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, along with several other Indian diplomats, as “persons of interest” in the ongoing investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the swirling speculation, stating, "I am not familiar with this report that we expelled Indian diplomats... I'm not aware of any such expulsion." His remarks aimed to clarify the US's position in the midst of growing diplomatic strains.
The tensions escalated earlier this month when India withdrew six of its diplomats from Canada in response to being labeled as “persons of interest” by Canadian officials. In a reciprocal move, India expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi, further exacerbating the diplomatic fallout between the two nations.