Consular officers on the Indian consulate in Vancouver had been just lately knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been and proceed to be beneath “audio and video surveillance” and that their “personal communications” have additionally been “intercepted”, the Centre knowledgeable Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of State for Exterior Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response in Rajya Sabha additionally mentioned “respect for one another’s considerations, territorial integrity and sovereignty are important for a secure bilateral relationship”.
Mr Singh was requested whether or not there are any cases of cyber surveillance or different types of surveillance concentrating on Indian diplomats in Canada.
“Sure. Lately, consular officers on the Indian Consulate in Vancouver had been knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been, and proceed to be beneath audio and video surveillance and that their personal communications have additionally been intercepted.”
“Authorities of India lodged a robust protest with the Canadian Excessive Fee in New Delhi on this challenge vide its observe verbale dated November 2, 2024 as these actions had been a flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions,” Mr Singh mentioned in his response.
The minister in his response additionally quoted a response of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) spokesperson in his weekly briefing to the media just lately right here.
“By citing technicalities, the Canadian Authorities can not justify the truth that it’s indulging in harassment and intimidation. Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an atmosphere of extremism and violence.”
“This motion of the Canadian Authorities aggravates the state of affairs and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” the spokesperson had mentioned.
Mr Singh was additionally requested the small print and the steps taken to make sure the security of Indian diplomats.
“On the query of security and safety of Indian diplomats in Canada, the Authorities of India stays repeatedly engaged with the Canadian facet to make sure that enough safety is obtainable always to our diplomatic personnel and properties,” he mentioned.
The minister additionally mentioned the Canadian Centre for Cyber Safety, in its biennial Nationwide Cyber Risk Evaluation (NCTA) report for 2025-2026 launched on October 30, “positioned India beneath ‘Part 1 – Cyber risk from state adversaries'”.
The MEA had responded to the report on November 2, stating that it was one more instance of Canada’s “detrimental” method to ties with India. As on different events, imputations have been made about India “with none proof”, the minister mentioned, quoting MEA’s response.
In a separate written response, Mr Singh additionally replied to queries on the steps taken for resolving points with Canada and whether or not it’s a proven fact that the Authorities of Canada has “expressed its incapability” to supply minimal safety to our embassy, consulates and diplomats.
“The 2 governments are in contact relating to the state of their bilateral ties. Respect for one another’s considerations, territorial integrity and sovereignty are important for a secure bilateral relationship.
“On this regard, Authorities of India has repeatedly urged the Canadian Authorities to take immediate and efficient motion in opposition to anti-India parts working from its soil. This consists of stopping secessionist and extremist parts from glorifying the assassination of our leaders issuing threats to our present political management and diplomats disrespecting and vandalising locations of worship and espousing for the balkanisation of India by holding so-called ‘referendums’,” he added.
Mr Singh additional mentioned whereas the Canadian authorities have been capable of present “safety safety to our diplomats and diplomatic properties”, they’ve just lately “expressed their incapability to supply safety cowl to our consular camps from the violent acts of secessionist and extremist parts”.
With practically 1.8 million Indo-Canadians (accounting for about 4.7 per cent of Canada’s inhabitants) and one other 1 million comprising non-resident Indians together with roughly 4,27,000 Indian college students, Canada hosts one of many largest Indian diasporas overseas, he mentioned.
“As such, the welfare, security and safety of Indian nationals in Canada is of utmost significance to Authorities of India,” the Union minister mentioned.
The relations between the 2 international locations got here beneath extreme pressure following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September final yr of a “potential” involvement of Indian brokers in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s costs as “absurd”.
India has been sustaining that the primary challenge between the 2 international locations is that of Canada is giving house to pro-Khalistan parts working from Canadian soil with impunity.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
