A diplomatic situation involving "serious criminal activity" by India's diplomats has forced the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to break protocol and speak publicly about ongoing threats to Canada, officials said Monday.

Canada announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats Monday, including the high commissioner, after police investigations linked agents of the Indian government to homicides, harassment and other “acts of violence” against Sikh separatists in the country.

India said it had asked six Canadian diplomats to leave by Saturday. The ministry also said it had summoned Acting High Commissioner in India Stewart Wheeler, currently Canada's top diplomat in the South Asian country. India said it was expelling the diplomats because it was not confident their safety could be guaranteed.