Indian consulate officials in Canada told they’re under surveillance, private communications intercepted: MEA

NEW DELHI: Indian consulate officials in Canada have been informed that they were under “audio and video surveillance and that their private communications have also been intercepted,” ministry of external affairs said on Thursday. It added that the Indian government had already lodged a protests with the Justin Trudeau government on November 2 citing “flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions.”

“Recently, consular officials at the Indian Consulate in Vancouver were informed by the Canadian authorities that they have been, and continue to be under audio and video surveillance and that their private communications have also been intercepted,” Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The minister of state in the ministry of external affairs was responding to a question of whether there were “any instances of cyber surveillance or other forms of surveillance targeting Indian diplomats in Canada.”

“Government of India lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on this issue. vide its Note Verbale dated 02 November 2024 as these actions were a flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions,” the statement said.

The minister, in his reply, also referenced a statement made by the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during the November 2 media briefing.

“By citing technicalities, the Canadian Government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation. Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian Government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal had said.

Canada not providing security to our consular camps’

The minister said that Canadian authorities have successfully ensured the protection of Indian diplomats and diplomatic properties, they have expressed their inability to provide security for our consular camps against violent acts by secessionist and extremist groups.

“While the Canadian authorities have been able to provide security protection to our diplomats and diplomatic properties, they have recently expressed their inability to provide security cover to our Consular Camps from the violent acts of secessionist and extremist elements. This has prevented our diplomats and consular officers to render much-sought after consular and passport-related services at camps specially organized with the help of the community members for the benefit of Indian as well as Canadian citizens, particularly senior citizens / retirees who seek “life certificates” to get their pensions,” he said.

“This includes preventing secessionist and extremist elements from glorifying the assassination of our leaders; issuing threats to our current political leadership and diplomats; disrespecting and vandalising places of worship; and espousing for the balkanization of India by holding so-called referendums,” he said.

When asked about the safety and security of Indian officials in Canada, Singh replied, “Government of India remains continuously engaged with the Canadian side to ensure that adequate protection is offered at all times to our diplomatic personnel and properties.”

India and Canada relations hit a rock bottom after the two countries expelled each other’s diplomats amid escalating tension the assassination of a Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

India had also lodged a strong protested over the “absurd and baseless” allegations made by a Canadian minister regarding home minister Amit Shah authorised attacks in Canada.

The relations degraded even further after attacks on Hindu temples in Canada and its condemnation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.