India has asked Canada to withdraw 41 of its diplomats

India has told Canada that it must repatriate 41 diplomats by October 10, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Canada suspects that Indian government agents played a role in the June murder of a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom India had labelled a "terrorist" Relations between India and Canada have become severely strained due to this suspicion.

The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with India's demand, reported that India had threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of diplomats who were told to leave but remained in their posts after October 10.

According to the newspaper, Canada has 62 diplomats in India, and India has requested that number be reduced by 41.

The foreign ministries of India and Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that there is a "climate of violence" and "atmosphere of intimidation" against Indian diplomats in Canada, where the presence of Sikh separatist groups has frustrated New Delhi.