‘Harassment, intimidation’: MEA says some Indian diplomats under Canadian surveillance

India on Saturday accused Canada of “harassing and intimidating” its consular staff, alleging that they are under audio and video surveillance. The Indian government called this action a “gross violation” of diplomatic conventions. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was responding to questions at a media briefing in New Delhi when he said India had strongly protested Canada’s “pattern of conduct”.

When asked about reports that numerous Indian diplomats in Canada were allegedly under surveillance during the diplomatic standoff.

“Yes, the Canadian government has recently notified some of our consular staff that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian government as we believe these actions are a gross violation of the relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.” , Jaiswal told reporters.

Pointing out that India’s diplomatic and consular staff work in an environment of “extremism and violence”, Jaiswal added: “The Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it condones harassment and intimidation by citing technicalities.”

During the briefing, the spokesperson also said that India has summoned a representative of the Canadian High Commission to express its strong objections to the allegations leveled by Ottawa against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Relations between the two countries have soured significantly since Prime Minister Trudeau’s accusations last September that Indian agents may have been involved in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijar.

India says Canada’s tolerance of pro-Khalistan groups operating freely on Canadian soil is the main issue in the conflict.