As its relations with Canada remain at an all-time low, India on Saturday said some of its consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they are under audio and video surveillance, calling the action “gross.” termed as “violation”. Diplomatic conference.
Asserting that Canada cannot hide behind technicalities to justify its harassment and intimidation, India said it has lodged a protest with the Canadian government.
Addressing a briefing on Saturday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Some of our consular officers were recently informed by the Canadian government that they are and will continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications will also be monitored.” We have formally protested to the Canadian government as we consider these actions to be a gross violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.”
Pointing out that India’s diplomats and embassy personnel are already working in an environment of “extremism and violence”, Mr Jaiswal said, “By citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it “Engaged in harassment and intimidation…This action by the Canadian government has aggravated the situation and is inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices.”
During the briefing, Mr Jaiswal also revealed that a Canadian diplomat was summoned on Friday over claims by Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison that Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Khalistani extremists in the country .
Saying that a diplomatic note was handed over to the representative of the Canadian High Commission, the spokesperson said, “In the note it was conveyed that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home.” India’s Deputy Minister David Morrison said before the committee.
Referring to reports of Canada admitting that its officials leaked sensitive information to the Washington Post, the Ministry of External Affairs said such actions would have “serious consequences” on relations between India and Canada.
“Indeed, the revelation that senior Canadian officials deliberately leaked baseless insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other countries only confirms the view that the Indian government has long held.” “Regardless of the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioral patterns, such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral relations,” he warned.
Relations between India and Canada have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed last year, without presenting any evidence, that “Indian agents” were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi has repeatedly rejected this allegation and has asked Canada to present evidence to support the claim.
The relationship reached a new low earlier this month when the Indian High Commissioner was declared a “person of interest” in the murder. India rejected the new allegation as “ridiculous” and withdrew the high commissioner and some diplomats, while expelling six Canadian officials, including Acting High Commissioner to Canada Stewart Ross Wheeler.