India says consular workers under ‘surveillance’ in Canada – India TV

Canadian series: Amid strained relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, India on Saturday accused Canada of “harassing and intimidating” Indian consular staff by installing audio and video surveillance on them, in “gross violation” of diplomatic conventions.

Responding to a query during a media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has lodged a formal protest with the Canadian government after discovering that its consular staff in Canada were subject to audio and video surveillance.

“Breach of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions”

He was asked about reports that many Indian diplomats in Canada were allegedly under surveillance during the diplomatic standoff. “Yes, the Canadian government recently informed some of our consular staff that they were and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications were also intercepted. We have formally protested the Canadian government as we believe these actions are a gross violation of the relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.” , Jaiswal told reporters.

“The Canadian government cannot justify harassment and intimidation by citing technicalities. Our diplomatic and consular staff already work in an environment of extremism and violence. These actions by the Canadian government aggravate the situation and are inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal also pointed to Canada’s recent classification of India as a “cyber adversary”, alongside Russia, China and North Korea, as another example of an “attack” on India. “This seems to be another example of Canada’s strategy to attack India. As I have mentioned earlier, their senior officials have openly admitted that they seek to manipulate world opinion against India. As in other cases, accusations are made without any evidence,” he said.

Indo-Canadian relations

Relations between the two countries have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year that Indian agents were “potentially” involved in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijar. New Delhi dismissed Trudeau’s accusations as “absurd” and “motivated”. India says the main issue between the two countries is Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements who operate with impunity from Canadian soil.

Nijar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia on June 18 last year. The murder is being investigated by the KRMP. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating six cases related to avowed terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannun is an Indian terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.

India also expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other “targeted” officials from Canada after strongly rejecting Ottawa’s allegations.

(With data from agencies)

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