NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's foreign ministry said on Thursday that despite requests from New Delhi, Canada had not taken any action against members of a gang that Canadian police have accused of being linked to Indian government agents in the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader, that has created a rupture in ties.

The UK says Delhi's co-operation is the "right next step" after Canada accused Indian agents of criminal activity in the country, which India denies.

Canada and India have seen an explosive escalation in tensions as Ottawa has accused Delhi’s diplomats of backing violence and harassment against Sikh separatists living in the North American country.

The British government says India should co-operate with Canada's investigation into claims that New Delhi has been involved in an escalating number of violent crimes in Canada, as an analyst warns that strategic interests might limit how allies respond to the bombshell claims.

Canadian authorities have accused agents linked to the Indian government of carrying out the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a longtime campaigner for the creation of a separate homeland for Sikhs,