Tensions rise as India condemns Canada’s surveillance of its diplomats

India's Foreign Minister, Subramanyam Jaishankar, has condemned Canada’s surveillance of Indian diplomats, describing the actions as "unacceptable."

Speaking at a briefing in Canberra, he responded to inquiries regarding the strained relations between the two nations by stating, “The fact that they have put our diplomats under surveillance is unacceptable.”

This statement follows claims from Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who accused Canada of conducting both audio and video surveillance on Indian diplomats while also intercepting their communications, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Jaiswal characterized these actions as harassment and intimidation, asserting that they constitute a serious violation of diplomatic conventions.

Tensions between Canada and India escalated following Canada’s decision to expel a senior Indian diplomat in September 2023. This diplomatic rift was sparked by allegations that Indian intelligence agencies were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent leader in Canada’s Sikh community, who was killed on Canadian soil.

New Delhi has labelled Nijjar a terrorist due to his advocacy for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan, which would encompass the Indian state of Punjab, predominantly Sikh. In response to the expulsion, India denied Ottawa’s allegations and expelled a Canadian diplomat in retaliation.

Jaishankar further criticized Canada, stating, “Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics,” highlighting the ongoing scandal between the two countries.

He also referred to a recent incident at a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, where worshippers were attacked by a group of men brandishing sticks and flags bearing the word "Khalistan." Jaishankar remarked that this event illustrates the political space being afforded to extremist groups in Canada.

The Indian government believes that supporters of the Khalistan movement were behind the attack, which reportedly involved children and women among the victims, according to a spokesperson for the Hindu Canadian Foundation.

By Tamilla Hasanova