New Delhi:

Rubbishing a Canadian minister’s claims that Residence Minister Amit Shah had ordered the focusing on of Khalistani extremists within the nation, India has termed them “absurd and baseless” and stated a Canadian diplomat had been summoned. 

Canada’s Deputy Overseas Affairs Minister David Morrison had made the allegations whereas addressing members of the nation’s Standing Committee on Public Security and Nationwide Safety on Tuesday.

Replying to a query on Saturday, Ministry of Exterior Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated a consultant of the Canadian Excessive Fee had been summoned on Friday and a diplomatic be aware was handed over.

“It was conveyed within the be aware that the Authorities of India protests within the strongest phrases to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Residence Minister of India earlier than the committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison,” Mr Jaiswal stated. 

Mr Morrison had stated that he had confirmed Mr Shah’s title to The Washington Put up, which had first reported the allegations, and the Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated this proves that high-ranking Canadian officers intentionally leak unfounded claims to the media. Mr Jaiswal warned that such actions may have “critical penalties” for ties between India and Canada. 

“The truth is, the revelation that prime Canadian officers intentionally leak unfounded insinuations to the worldwide media as a part of a acutely aware technique to discredit India and affect different nations solely confirms the view the Authorities of India has lengthy held concerning the present Canadian authorities’s political agenda and behavioural sample. Such irresponsible actions may have critical penalties for bilateral ties,” he stated. 

Categorisation, Surveillance

Responding to studies that Canada has named India an “adversary” alongside China, North Korea Russia and Iran in its Nationwide Cyber Menace Evaluation, Mr Jaiswal stated this was one other instance of imputations being made with out proof. 

“This seems to be one other instance of a Canadian technique to assault India. As I discussed earlier, their senior officers have brazenly confessed that they’re searching for to govern world opinion in opposition to India. As on different events, imputations are made with none proof,” he stated. 

The Ministry of Exterior Affairs spokesperson additionally stated a few of India’s consular officers had been knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been below surveillance and stated this was a “flagrant violation”of diplomatic conventions. He additionally made it clear that New Delhi sees the motion as a type of harassment and intimidation.

“A few of our consular officers had been lately knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been and proceed to be below audio and video surveillance. Their communications have additionally been intercepted. We’ve formally protested to the Canadian authorities as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of related diplomatic and consular conventions,” Mr Jaiswal stated. 

“By citing technicalities, the Canadian Authorities can’t 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,” he asserted. 

Diwali Celebrations

To a query on Canada’s opposition chief Pierre Poilievre cancelling Diwali celebrations that had been scheduled to be held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, sparking a backlash from the Indian neighborhood, Mr Jaiswal stated, “We’ve seen some studies on this regard. It’s unlucky that the prevailing ambiance in Canada has reached excessive ranges of intolerance and extremism.”

On the discount within the variety of visas by the Canadian authorities, the spokesperson stated the ministry is monitoring the well-being of scholars and momentary staff from India who’re at the moment in Canada and its concern for his or her security and safety stays sturdy.

Ties between India and Canada have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed, with out providing any proof, final yr that “Indian brokers” had been concerned within the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – an allegation that has been dismissed by New Delhi a number of instances.

The connection hit a brand new low earlier this month when the Indian Excessive Commissioner was termed a “individual of curiosity” within the killing.  India dismissed the recent cost as “ludicrous” and withdrew the Excessive Commissioner and a few diplomats whereas expelling six diplomats, together with Canada’s performing Excessive Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.