Diplomats in Canada under audio, video surveillance, MEA confirms
India protests to Ottawa after Canadian government informs diplomats that they have been under audio and video surveillance and continue to be so
India has accused Canada of “harassment and intimidation” of Indian consular staff by putting them under audio and video surveillance, in “flagrant violation” of diplomatic conventions.
India has “formally protested” to the Canadian government, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi on Saturday (November 2).
“Harassment and intimidation”
He confirmed reports claiming that many Indian diplomats in Canada were under surveillance amid the diplomatic standoff.
“Yes, some of our consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they have been and continued to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian government, as we deem these actions to be in flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” Jaiswal said.
Also read: Allegations against Amit Shah: India summons Canadian official, lodges protest
“By citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation,” he alleged.
“Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian government aggravates the situation, and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal said.
Strained India-Canada ties
The relations between the two countries have nosedived since September last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
New Delhi has rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd”.
Also read: Canada’s behaviour ‘the pits’: Ex-envoy Sanjay Verma details ‘business of Khalistan’
India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
India has expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrawn its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other “targeted” officials from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa’s charges.
(With agency inputs)
