India Slams Canada for Spying on Diplomats: Surveillance Row Escalates Tensions
Tensions between India and Canada have escalated following the Indian government's statement that Indian diplomats in Canada, particularly those at the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, have been under surveillance. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed Parliament that consular officials had been subjected to audio and video surveillance by Canadian authorities, and their private communications intercepted.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, revealed this in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Indian consulate officials were intimated by the Canadian authorities that they were under observation and their private communications intercepted, Singh confirmed. This act was taken by India as a serious violation of diplomatic protocols and was responded to, with a formal protest issued through a note verbale sent to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on 2 November 2024.
This is a time when India-Canada relations are already strained due to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged that India was involved in Nijjar's killing, which the Indian government strongly rejected. The failure of Canada to curtail the activities of pro-Khalistan elements operating from its soil is an issue of prime concern for India in the bilateral relationship.
Complications continue when Singh briefed the Rajya Sabha on growing safety concerns for Indian diplomats in Canada. Singh highlighted that even though the Canadian authorities had upped security for the personnel and properties, concerns had to be raised on how they cannot guarantee the safety of the consular camps from threats of extremist groups. The situation has affected the essential services rendered both to Indians and to Canadians, like issuing life certificates for pensioners.
Despite these challenges, India continues to engage with Canada to secure the safety of its diplomats and properties. Singh said respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is important, and that both countries must abide by diplomatic norms to ensure a stable relationship.
This latest incident adds to the tension between India and Canada, which was further fueled earlier this year when both expelled diplomats after the controversy surrounding the murder of Nijjar.