Ottawa/IBNS: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday said the Indian government's crackdown on Canadian diplomats was making normal life very difficult for millions of people in both countries.

Speaking to reporters a day after Canada announced it had withdrawn 41 diplomats from New Delhi, Trudeau made these remarks and said Ottawa was forced to act after India threatened to revoke the diplomats' official status unilaterally.

Rejecting Canada's charges, the Centre, earlier in the day, said that no international norms were violated in India seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence of the two countries.

"We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms," the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

Canada has also suspended in-person operations at consulates in several Indian cities and warned of visa processing delays. This will affect consulates in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai.

The development comes amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country," the advisory said.

"Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa," it said.

Canadian officials asked its nationals to avoid non-essential travelling to Assam and Manipur.

"Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation. There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping.This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh," the advisory said.

Why does the India-Canada relationship remain tense?

Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that New Delhi could be behind Nijjar's killing.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on September 18 alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey British Columbia on June 18. India dismissed the allegation, calling it “absurd” and “motivated.”

In 2020, India designated Nijjar as a terrorist.