SCO Summit Highlights: EAM Jaishankar, Shehbaz Sharif exchange pleasantries during dinner reception

“I think that it's a very exciting moment for Pakistan. Pakistan is hosting this multilateral event after quite a long time. As far as Pakistan-India relations are concerned, I don’t think it is overshadowing it, rather it is contributing towards multilateral engagement which includes of course India. India is one of the responsible, important players on this forum and it is diversified engagement which Pakistan is looking for,” says former caretaker Pakistani PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar while responding to a question on India-Pakistan bilateral relations overshadowing the 24th annual summit of heads of state of the SCO.

On EAM Dr S Jaishankar participating in SCO Council Heads of Government in Pakistan, former J&K Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta says, “This Summit is just an SCO meeting. It doesn't seem that there would be some other discussion...India has already said that unless Pakistan improves itself discussions (on India-Pakistan relations) cannot be held. So, I think discussions will remain restricted to just SCO Summit..."

On Kolkata High Court allowing junior doctors' carnival, father of the victim in RG Kar rape and murder case says, "... This is the victory of doctors, their carnival has begun..."

He further said, "Whatever the Supreme Court says, it says after a lot of thought... CBI is not delaying, it takes time to prove the evidence, that is why they are taking time."

SCO Meet Live Updates: Pak PM welcomes EAM Jaishankar to dinner hosted by him

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchange pleasantries during dinner reception at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) dinner venue in Islamabad earlier today.

Change in origination and diversion of train services due to water logging between Basin bridge and Vyasarpadi railway stations following heavy rain consequent to suspension of traffic over bridge number 14, the Southern Railways have informed.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has arrived in Pakistan to lead the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit on October 16.

The last Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj. She had travelled to Islamabad to attend the 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan held from December 8-9, 2015.

Jaishankar, who was then India's foreign secretary, was part of Swaraj's delegation.

SCO Summit News Live: EAM Dr S Jaishankar receives warm welcome after landing in Pakistan, shares pics

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on October 15 landed in Islamabad to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in the first visit to Pakistan by a high-ranking Indian minister in nearly a decade that came amid frosty ties between the two neighbours.

Jaishankar's aircraft landed at the Nur Khan airbase on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital city at around 3:30 pm (local time) and he was greeted by senior Pakistani officials.

A group of elected members of Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities, met in New Delhi today to discuss on the current scenario in the state. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the State belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed on October 15.

The Enforcement Directorate's Hyderabad Zonal Office has attached immovable and movable properties amounting to Rs 23.54 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in a case relating to misuse of funds in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) Siemens Project. The project was meant to promote skill development and entrepreneurship in Andhra Pradesh

Government schools, Government-aided schools, private schools, and all colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal are to remain closed tomorrow, October 16 due to a heavy rain warning, says Puducherry Education Minister A Namassivayam.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will not be attending the swearing-in of Omar Abdullah as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir owing to the IMD issuing a 'red alert' due to the northeast monsoon, the state government said on Tuesday.

A 'red alert' indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours.

DMK MP Kanimozhi will represent the party at the swearing-in ceremony on October 16.

CBI caught Inspector Sandeep Ahlawat and one sub-inspector of Delhi police while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh.

They were posted at Burari Police Station in North Delhi.

The accused police officers had demanded Rs 1 crore from a person to help him in a case.

“Air India Express, along with a few other operators, received a specific security threat from an unverified social media handle. In response, security protocols were promptly activated as directed by the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee. The flight landed safely, and the aircraft will be released for operations following all mandated security procedures,” says an Air India Express Spokesperson on a bomb threat call on AIX Flight in Ayodhya

BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed Baijayant Panda, MP, National Vice President as the State Election In-charge for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections.

Atul Garg, MP has been appointed as co-in-charge for the Delhi Assembly Elections.

These appointments will be effective immediately.

On heavy rainfall warning in Tamil Nadu, State Relief Commissioner, Rajesh Lakhoni says, “From morning 8.30 am, some parts of Chennai have received as high as 16 cm rainfall. This time we have taken preparedness measures and placement of resources in advance. Around 26 teams of NDRF & SDRF have been placed in 5 coastal districts. Boats with manpower also placed.  We have identified around 300 relief centres in Chennai and around 931 relief centres in neaby areas. This time we are doing centralised cooking. At all the relief cenearbyntres, medical camps are being arranged. We have ensured that all old age homes & homes for the destitute have kept dry ration for the next 10 days. 80 pregnant women with their delivery due date near have been admitted to different hospitals.”

Around 68 houses destroyed in a fire that broke out in the afternoon yesterday in one of the remotest villages in the UT, Mulwarwan.

Visuals from the spot, as smoke continues to rise from the damaged houses.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informs the Supreme Court that an updated status report relating to the investigation into the RG Kar incident has been filed in the top court.

He adds that a chargesheet has been filed in the concerned court in connection with RG Kar medical college rape case.

Congress leaders Tariq Anwar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and Bhatti Vikarmarka Mallu appointed as AICC senior observers for Jharkhand Assembly Elections.

Supreme Court begins suo motu hearing on the rape and murder case of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule says, “Mahayuti is fully prepared for the elections. We will go to the forefront. The formula of our three parties is also certain. It will come out in 2-3 days. Mahayuti will go to the people, we will give our manifesto to them. PM Modi's government is in power for the next 5 years and if the Mahayuti government is formed in Maharashtra, then the double-engine government can do good to the people and can take Maharashtra towards development. If even 1 vote goes to Congress, then it will create hindrance in development...”

Sweden's Prosecution Authority on Tuesday confirmed a rape investigation, without naming a suspect, following media reports that French footballer Kylian Mbappe was being investigated after a visit to Stockholm.

"Given media reports of a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a rape complaint has been filed with police," the authority said, adding that the alleged incident occurred at a hotel in the Swedish capital on October 10.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Tuesday that at least 42,344 people have been killed in the war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The toll includes 55 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 99,013 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

Israeli military strikes killed at least ‮40‬ Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave on Tuesday, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters.

Palestinian health officials said at least 11 people were killed by Israeli fire near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, while 10 others were killed in Bani Suhaila in eastern Khan Younis in the south when an Israeli missile struck a house.

Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike destroyed three houses in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City, and the local civil emergency service said they recovered two bodies from the site, while the search continued for 12 other people who were believed to have been in the houses at the time of the strike.

Five others were killed when a house was struck in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will happen only after November this year, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Tuesday.

“We will discuss dates for the visit only after we form the new government,” Herath told reporters here.

Voting for the parliamentary election is to take place on November 14, almost 10 months ahead of the schedule.

On Maharashtra poll dates to be announced today, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat says, "At least elections will begin now. People doubted whether or not the election would take place as it was pushed forward by a month...We will conclude seat sharing (talks) this week."

India on Tuesday inked a mega deal with the US to procure 31 Predator long-endurance drones from American defence major General Atomics under the foreign military sales route at a cost of nearly $4 billion to boost Indian military's combat prowess along the contested borders with China.

The deal, signed in presence of top defence and strategic brass of India in the national capital, marks a significant upswing in military ties between the two countries, officials told PTI.

The procurement of the drones was finalised just weeks ahead of the US presidential elections.

The Supreme Court has said when a First Information Report (FIR) alleges dishonest conduct by an accused and materials disclose commission of a cognisable offence then the investigation cannot be thwarted by quashing the FIR.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it was trite law that an FIR was not an encyclopedia of all imputations.

It further observed that while deciding if a criminal proceeding or an FIR should be quashed at the very threshold, the allegations in the FIR, including the materials collected during investigation, should be taken at face value to determine whether or not a prima facie case against the accused for investigation was made out.

Hours before the Election Commission is set to announce the schedule for Jharkhand and Maharashtra assembly polls on Tuesday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding clearance of Rs 1.36 lakh-crore in pending dues from coal companies.

Soren emphasised that he is not asking for a "special budget" for the state but is requesting its rightful dues, which he claims are causing irreparable harm to Jharkhand’s development.

"This outstanding amount is our right... Jharkhand is not asking for a special budget. We are just asking for our rights—which we will take under all circumstances," Soren posted on X, sharing the open letter to the PM.

"In spite of provisions in the law and judicial pronouncements, coal companies are not making any payment... These questions have been raised at various forums, including your kind office, Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog. But till now this compensation (Rs 1.36 lakh crore) has not yet been paid," he said.

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Tuesday vindicated Jasprit Bumrah's promotion as the vice-captain for the three-Test series against New Zealand, terming the lead pacer as an integral part of the leadership group who has a lot of "understanding" of the game.

Bumrah’s elevation to vice-captaincy for the Test series, beginning here on Wednesday, came as a bit of surprise as India did not have a deputy to Rohit in the recent series against Bangladesh.

Several opposition MPs on Tuesday walked out of a meeting of the joint committee on the Waqf Bill, alleging derogatory remarks against them by a BJP member.

Opposition members, including Kalyan Banerjee, Gaurav Gogoi, A Raja, Mohamed Abdulla and Arvind Sawant, stormed out of the meeting of the parliamentary panel, which was hearing a presentation from representatives of the Ministry of Minority Affairs on the bill.

The opposition members rejoined the meeting after staying away for nearly one hour.

However, BJP members claimed that the opposition members were abusing the chairman of the committee Jagadambika Pal.

This is the second consecutive day when opposition members have walked out of the meeting following differences.

On Assembly poll dates to be announced today, Congress in-charge for Maharashtra assembly elections, Ramesh Chennithala says, "We are ready for the elections and Maha Vikas Aghadi is intact. We will form a govt in Maharashtra..."

"The oath-taking ceremony must be as fabulous as the mandate. The meeting is being held to discuss preparation for it so that party workers get satisfaction and a chance to celebrate," says BJP leader Om Prakash Dhankar (@OPDhankar) on swearing-in ceremony of Haryana CM and ministers.

"It's just the beginning, the day is yet to come (of swearing-in ceremony). It is an opening of what we intent to achieve, the complete autonomy of the state, as it was guaranteed by the Constitution, and was practised for good seven decades. We want the reversal of the decision that was taken in 2019, nevertheless it is a good beginning, the democracy has started to take over.

We have had 5-6 years of administration which was run by the people who are alien to the society and are completely unaccountable, which affected the state, let's hope this brings relief. I expect this government which will be headed by Omar Abdullah to bring that relief to the people that they expect and make people feel that this is their government," says senior JKNC leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) as party leader Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as CM of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

"Such an incident should not happen. In the last seven years of the Yogi government, there has been no incident of riots. The incident of Bahraich is condemnable and authorities have taken cognisance," says UP Minister Daya Shankar Mishra (

News Live updates: Opposition MPs walk out of joint parliamentary meet on Waqf Bill

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister warned Tuesday that the country had "clear evidence" Seoul's military was behind recent drone incursions over Pyongyang, and warned of reprisals.

"We secured clear evidence that (South Korea) military gangsters are the main culprit," the North's key spokeswoman Kim Yo Jong said, adding "the provocateurs will have to pay a dear price."

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had detected a record number of 153 Chinese military aircraft participating in China's war games around the island the previous day, detailing a surge in warplane activity.

China said the one-day drill, designated "Joint Sword-2024B", was a warning against "separatist acts" after a national day speech last week by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te that Beijing had denounced.

The drills were not only a concern for Taiwan, but risked destabilising the region, Premier Cho Jung-tai said.

Russia and China held "substantive" defence and military talks to bolster ties, Russia's defence minister said on Tuesday, as Moscow and Beijing cement a "no limits" partnership and step up criticism of U.S. efforts to extend its influence in Asia.

"The military departments of Russia and China are united in their assessments of global processes, and they have a common understanding of what needs to be done in the current situation," a post on the Russian defence ministry's Telegram messaging app cited Defence Minister Andrei Belousov as saying.

Belousov said he met with China's central military commission vice chairman, Zhang Youxia for "very substantive" talks.

Iranian commander Esmail Qaani on Tuesday attended the funeral in Tehran for slain general Abbas Nilforoushan who was killed last month alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

The funeral procession for Nilforoushan, a general in Iran's Revolutionary Guards, began at the Imam Hossein Square, according to a live broadcast on state television.

Qaani -- who heads the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm -- had disappeared from public view and was rumoured in some media to have been targeted in an Israeli strike on Lebanon before reappearing.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspects Integrated Control and Command Centre, in Chennai

In light of the heavy rain forecast, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts today.

Delhi CM Atishi to chair a high-level meeting today regarding the pollution situation, at the Delhi Secretariat. Environment Minister Gopal Rai will also attend this meeting: CMO

Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was implemented in Delhi yesterday. Under Stage-I, actions include ensuring proper implementation of dust mitigation measures in construction and demolition (C&D) activities and effective environmental management of C&D waste.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects the exhibition at International Telecommunication Union - World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is also present

"BJP is fully prepared for the (Assembly) election. More than BJP, the people of Jharkhand are ready to remove this corrupt and loot-driven, Hemant government from power. Hemant Soren will never return to power, and this was the last chance for his party to be in government," says BJP spokesperson Pratul Sahdev as the EC is set to announce Jharkhand Assembly election dates today.

Voting is going on peacefully in Moga since 8 am. The voters are looking excited. There are long queues. The police have made elaborate arrangements. There are 20 teams deployed who are keeping an eye on the voting, SDM Sarang Preet Singh on the ongoing voting.

Restrictions under the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into force in the national capital on Tuesday as the air quality remained in the 'poor' category for the third consecutive day.

Stage 1 of the GRAP, a set of winter-specific anti-pollution measures, focuses on controlling pollution through dust mitigation at construction sites, proper waste management, and regular road cleaning.

Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh says "I am honoured to take over as the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. It is an honourous responsibility which I intend to discharge to the best of my abilities. I intend to follow an inclusive approach for the overall growth and progression of the ICG. The three key pillars with which I intend to progress the Coast Guard on all fronts are probity, transparency and objectivity...On the maritime arena, close collaboration and cooperation with the Indian Navy and the Marine Police will be a sine quo non for me to ensure that all assets of maritime security are well addressed..."

In view of the forecast of heavy rains, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts today.

Hong Kong is expected to announce measures to boost the city's economy in its annual policy address on Wednesday, including slashing liquor tariffs, as it seeks to revive the financial hub which has been struggling to recover since the pandemic.

Hong Kong's small and open economy has felt the ripple effects of a slowdown in the Chinese economy. The city's economy expanded by 3.3% in the second quarter from a year earlier, and is forecast to grow 2.5-3.5% for the year.

Bengaluru witnessed unexpected downpour on October 15 morning as the city may see heavy rainfall this week, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Bengaluru’s observatory has already recorded 72mm of rainfall in October.

According to the IMD report, along with Bengaluru, Chikballapura and Kolar districts are also likely to receive heavy rains this week.

On ECI to announce Jharkhand Assembly elections today, Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur says, "...We have repeatedly said that the due date for election in Jharkhand is January 6. When the date for election in Haryana was November 3 and in Maharashtra November 26, why did you not hold both of them together? When you do not listen to us, we feel that you make such announcements for political reasons or under the influence of a particular party. Still, we respect the Election Commission. We are fully prepared and will deal with every situation well..."

Oil prices extended losses Tuesday after a report said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told US President Joe Biden he would not strike Iran's crude or nuclear facilities in retaliation for a missile attack earlier this month.

The sell-off came as the commodity is hit by worries about China's economic outlook after Beijing failed to announce any new stimulus at a weekend briefing, nor provide details on a raft of measures unveiled at the end of last month.

Campaigning kicked off Tuesday in Japan for an October 27 election in which new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking to retain his long-ruling party's majority.

Loudspeaker trucks began circulating and candidates handed out fliers ahead of the vote. Key issues include price rises, regional security, and disquiet over scandals in Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party.

North Korea has blown up sections of the roads that connect it to the South, Yonhap reported Tuesday citing Seoul's military, days after Pyongyang vowed to seal its border and ramp up security.

"North Korean has detonated parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads north of the Military Demarcation Line," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, Yonhap reported, adding that the South had boosted its military readiness in response.

Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese military aircraft around the self-ruled island, official data showed Tuesday, after China held a day of large-scale drills.

The aircraft were spotted in the 25 hours to 6:00 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT Monday), the defence ministry said in a statement -- the most for a single day.

Beijing deployed fighter jets, drones, warships and coast guard boats to encircle Taiwan on Monday, with Taiwan responding by dispatching "appropriate forces" and placing its outlying islands on heightened alert.

Global public debt is expected to reach a record $100 trillion this year, the IMF said Tuesday, warning that the fiscal outlook for many countries may be even "worse than expected."

In its latest report on fiscal policy, the International Monetary Fund said it expects global public debt to hit 93 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) this year, and to approach 100 percent of GDP by 2030 -- 10 percentage points higher than in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

"Global public debt is very high," Era Dabla-Norris, the deputy director of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, told reporters ahead of the report's publication.

On Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress leader Udit Raj says, "There was no fair conduct of election in Haryana and democracy was murdered. I expect the same would not happen in Jharkhand and Maharashtra."

The met office has predicted heavy rainfall predicted in the next four days. CM MK Stalin directed the authorities to declare a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts on October 15, and also asked them to issue an advisory to IT firms to allow their employees to work from home from October 15 to 18.

On Bahraich violence, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan says, "Action must be taken against those who take laws into their own hands. We live in a peaceful country which has a history of Hindu-Muslim. Those who are trying to disturb our peace, be it political or common man, action must be taken against them."

On UP by-polls, he says, "The wave is in the favour of Samajwadi Party. If the elections will be conducted in a fair manner, Samajwadi Party will win more seats."

The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls on Tuesday.

The poll panel has convened a press conference here at 3.30 pm to announce the details.

While the term of the Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26, that of Jharkhand ends on January 5 next year.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the JMM-led alliance will contest all 81 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.

Speaking after a central committee meeting of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday, Soren expressed confidence in the party's electoral preparedness and asserted that the alliance would regain power in the state.

Voting underway for the Punjab gram panchayat elections. Voting for sarpanch and panch posts is taking place through ballot boxes from 8 am to 4 pm.

Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said, "I am going to Delhi today for the meeting. The agenda of the meeting will be the Assembly elections in the state."

On Jharkhand govt increasing the monthly assistance amount for women from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500, he says, "They have been giving it for 3 months, why did they not increase it earlier? In the state assembly in 2020, we supported them and a proposal was passed to give Rs 5,000 assistance to unemployed graduates and Rs 7,000 to unemployed postgraduate youth, but nothing has been done so far. No one will trust them. People understand everything..."

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected several areas in Chennai after heavy rain lashed the city last night. IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for the next two days.

A wide variety of entities in Canada and abroad was used by Indian agents to collect information and then used the details to target members of the South Asian community, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged on Monday.

The RCMP's comments came on a day India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced withdrawing its High Commissioner from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa's allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has been strongly rejecting Canada's charge of involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing last year.

Waterlogging witnessed in Koyambedu area of Chennai after incessant rainfall in the area.

Bahraich news live: Shops burnt, vehicles were vandalised

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on October 14, "In India, 5G is anticipated to inject an astounding 450 billion dollars into the economy by 2040. Therefore, we have rolled out 5G across all 36 states & UTs covering 98% of our districts and 80% of our population in just 22 months...It highlights the transformative powers of standardised innovation..."

Canadian PM (Official account of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) tweets, "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, about the targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India."

The leaders discussed the need to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and the importance of upholding and respecting the rule of law. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s continued interest in co-operation with India to address this serious matter. Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to remain in close and regular contact: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

Visit By the Indian Enquiry Committee to the United States of America | An Indian Enquiry Committee that was established to investigate activities of certain organized criminals is actively investigating the individual who was identified last year in the Department of Justice’s indictment as an Indian government employee who directed a foiled plot to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City. The Enquiry Committee will be travelling to Washington, D.C. on October 15th, as part of their ongoing investigations to discuss the case, including information they have obtained, and to receive an update from U.S. authorities regarding the U.S. case that is proceeding. Additionally, India has informed the United States they are continuing their efforts to investigate other linkages of the former government employee and will determine follow-up steps, as necessary: US Department of State

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the evidence of India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar "cannot be ignored" and the country will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign country in the killing of their citizens.

“As the Commissioner of the RCMP, Mike Duheme, stated earlier today, the RCMP has clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to public safety. This includes clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder. This is unacceptable.

“While attempts have been made by the RCMP and national security officials to work with the Government of India and Indian law enforcement counterparts on this matter, they have been repeatedly refused. That is why, this weekend, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP evidence, which concluded six agents of the Government of India are persons of interest in criminal activities. And despite repeated requests to the Government of India, they have decided not to co-operate. Given that the Government of India still refuses to co-operate, my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, had only one choice.

“Today, she issued a deportation notice for these six individuals. They must leave Canada. They will no longer be able to act as diplomats in Canada, nor to re-enter Canada, for whatever reason. Let me be clear: the evidence brought to light by the RCMP cannot be ignored. It leads to one conclusion: it is necessary to disrupt the criminal activities that continue to pose a threat to public safety in Canada. That is why we acted. Because we will always – first and foremost – stand for the right of Canadians to feel safe and secure in their own country.

“We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil – a deeply unacceptable violation of Canada’s sovereignty and of international law.

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, issued a statement on the investigation over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“Canada is a country rooted in the rule of law, and the protection of our citizens is paramount. That is why, when our law enforcement and intelligence services began pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil – we responded.

“We shared our concerns with the Government of India and asked them to work with us to shed light on this important issue. At the same time, police and security agencies have used all the tools at their disposal to keep Canadians safe. Today, given evidence presented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), we are taking additional steps to protect Canadians.

Canada has expelled six Indian diplomats and consular officials in relation to an investigation of the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia last year, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

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.

An Indian government committee investigating Indian involvement in a foiled murder plot against a prominent activist in the United States will meet US officials in Washington this week, the State Department said on Monday.

The United States has been pushing India to look in to the Justice Department's claim that an unnamed Indian intelligence official directed plans to assassinate dual US-Canada citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist, last year.