Tension is rising between India and Canada. India has accused Canada of harassing and threatening Indian consulate staff by keeping them under audio and video surveillance, which is a serious violation of diplomatic conventions.
Replying to a question during the press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has formally protested to the Canadian government over this incident. Jaiswal was asked about reports claiming that several Indian diplomats in Canada were allegedly under surveillance during the diplomatic standoff.
According to PTI, Jaiswal said that yes, the Canadian government recently informed some of our consular officials that they are under audio and video surveillance. Their communication has also been interrupted. We have formally protested to the Government of Canada, as we consider such actions to be a serious violation of diplomatic and consular conventions.
Jaiswal said our diplomats and consular staff are already working in an environment of extremism and violence. This action by the Canadian government makes the situation even worse and is a violation of established diplomatic norms.
In September last year, relations between the two countries came under severe strain after Trudeau made allegations about the alleged involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd.” India says the main problem between the two countries is that Canada is giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from its soil without any punishment. India, which strongly rejects Canada’s accusations, expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other officials from Canada.
