India-Canada Relations: India Rebukes Canada, Monitors Consular Calls
India has responded sharply to a recent controversial statement by the deputy foreign minister of Canada against Home Minister Amit Shah. The MEA issued a stern reply by terming the statement as "absurd and baseless." India summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission on November 2, 2024, and handed over a formal note, expressing deep objections to the allegations.
India-Canada Relations: India Rebukes Canada, Summons Diplomat
The MEA spokesperson said that the Government of India, in its strong protest against the baseless allegations of the Canadian diplomat against Home Minister Amit Shah, delivered a note to him mentioning that these accusations are entirely unfounded and a planned attempt to spread misinformation, which impacts bilateral agreements.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, This is another example of how Canada is trying to malign India by plotting against it. Canadian officials have themselves accepted that they tried to manipulate India's global image in the past. However, these allegations are absolutely false and without substance.The statement also said that Canadian consular officials have just been informed that enhanced surveillance has been placed on their audio and video communications, and that there have been interference with their lines of communication. India has registered a formal protest at the action, saying it violates diplomatic conventions. Canadian diplomats and consular staff will continue to operate in very difficult circumstances.
The controversy started when Nathalie Drouin, Canada's National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, along with members of the National Security Committee in Canada, reportedly confirmed a leak by the Washington Post. According to the report, India's Home Minister Shah was one of those involved in targeting Khalistani separatists in Canada. When asked, Morrison reportedly confirmed Shah's name saying, The journalist asked if it was the same individual, and I confirmed it.
The incident has further fueled the already rising tensions between the two countries because India takes all of Canada's actions, which it considers a strategic move against its sovereignty in the international arena, very seriously.