New Delhi:

As its ties with Canada continued to stay at an all-time low, India on Saturday mentioned a few of its consular officers had been knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been below audio and video surveillance, and termed the motion a “flagrant violation” of diplomatic conventions.

Asserting that Canada couldn’t conceal behind technicalities to justify its harassment and intimidation, India mentioned it had lodged a protest with the Canadian authorities.

Addressing a briefing on Saturday, Ministry of Exterior Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned, “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.”

Mentioning that India’s diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an setting of “extremism and violence”, Mr Jaiswal added, “By citing technicalities, the Canadian Authorities can not justify the truth that it’s indulging in harassment and intimidation… This motion of the Canadian authorities aggravates the scenario and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices.”

Throughout the briefing, Mr Jaiswal additionally revealed {that a} Canadian diplomat had been summoned on Friday over claims by Canada’s Deputy Overseas Affairs Minister David Morrison that Dwelling Minister Amit Shah had ordered the focusing on of Khalistani extremists within the nation.

Stating {that a} diplomatic word had been handed over to the consultant of the Canadian Excessive Fee, the spokesperson mentioned, “It was conveyed within the word that the Authorities of India protests within the strongest phrases to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Dwelling Minister of India earlier than the committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison.”

Referring to studies of Canada admitting that its officers leaked delicate data to the Washington Put up, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned 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 warned.

Ties between India and Canada have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed – with out providing any proof – final 12 months that “Indian brokers” had been concerned within the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The allegation has been rubbished by New Delhi a number of instances and it has requested Canada to supply proof to again up the declare.

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 Canadian officers, together with Canada’s performing Excessive Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.