Surveillance accusations heighten strains between India and Canada

India has accused Canada of conducting surveillance on its diplomats and intercepting their communications, a move it describes as harassment and a serious breach of diplomatic norms.

During a briefing, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Some of our consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their correspondence has also been intercepted."

Jaiswal emphasized that India has lodged a formal protest with Canada, considering these actions a "flagrant violation of the relevant diplomatic and consular conventions", Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

He criticized the Canadian government for attempting to justify its behaviour with technicalities, stating, "It cannot excuse the fact that it is engaged in harassment and intimidation."

He noted that Indian diplomatic and consular personnel are already operating in an environment marked by extremism and violence, adding, "These actions by the Canadian government exacerbate the situation and are inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices."

Tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi have escalated since Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat in September 2023, amid allegations that India's intelligence services were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader in Canada.

New Delhi has labelled Nijjar a terrorist for his advocacy of an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, in the Indian state of Punjab, where a majority of the population identifies as Sikh. Following these accusations, India denied any wrongdoing and reciprocated by expelling a Canadian diplomat.

On October 14, the Indian Foreign Ministry sharply rejected Canada's claims regarding Indian ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma's alleged involvement in Nijjar's murder as "ridiculous." The ministry announced the recall of Verma and several other diplomats from Ottawa, citing safety concerns, while also expelling six Canadian diplomats from India. Canada subsequently expelled six Indian diplomats in retaliation.

By Tamilla Hasanova