India expels six Canadian diplomats and decides to withdraw its High Commissioner from Canada
On 14 October 2024, in New Delhi, the MEA announced the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, and India's decision to withdraw its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and other targeted officials.
Summary
On 14 October 2024, in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said the Canadian Charge d'Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) that evening, and stated that 'the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials'. An MEA statement the same day names the High Commissioner as Sanjay Kumar Verma. MEA then announced India's decision to expel six Canadian diplomats: Stewart Ross Wheeler (Acting High Commissioner), Patrick Hebert (Deputy High Commissioner), and First Secretaries Marie Catherine Joly, Ian Ross David Trites, Adam James Chuipka and Paula Orjuela. They were asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
Key facts
- Date
- 14 Oct 2024
- Demarche
- Canadian Charge d'Affaires summoned by Secretary (East), evening of 14 Oct
- Indian HC withdrawn
- Sanjay Kumar Verma, with other targeted diplomats and officials
- Expelled
- 6 Canadian diplomats
- Acting High Commissioner
- Stewart Ross Wheeler
- Deputy High Commissioner
- Patrick Hebert
- Deadline
- By 11:59 PM, Sat 19 Oct 2024
Practice MCQs 4 questions
India's High Commissioner to Canada, whose withdrawal the MEA announced on 14 October 2024, was:
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Correct answer: A — Sanjay Kumar Verma
MEA (14 Oct 2024): the Government of India decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials; MEA's statement that day names High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma.
Who was the Canadian Acting High Commissioner among the six diplomats India expelled on 14 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Stewart Ross Wheeler
MEA (14 Oct 2024): the 6 Canadian diplomats to be expelled include Mr. Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner.
How many Canadian diplomats did India decide to expel on 14 October 2024, and by when were they asked to leave?
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Correct answer: D — 6; by 11:59 PM on 19 October 2024
MEA (14 Oct 2024): the Government of India decided to expel 6 Canadian diplomats, asked to leave India by or before 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Consider the following statements about the MEA releases of 14 October 2024 on Canada: 1. The Canadian Charge d'Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) that evening. 2. Deputy High Commissioner Patrick Hebert was among the six Canadian diplomats to be expelled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both correct per MEA (14 Oct 2024): the Canadian Charge d'Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East) this evening; the expulsion list includes Mr. Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner.