• Source:JND
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India on Saturday came down heavily on Canada after some of its consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they have been under audio and video surveillance. India termed the action a "flagrant violation" of diplomatic conventions. India said it had lodged a protest with the Canadian government in this regard and that its diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of "extremism and violence" in Canada.

Addressing a briefing on Saturday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Some of our consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions."

"By citing technicalities, the Canadian Government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation... This action of the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal added.

During the briefing, Jaiswal also revealed that a Canadian diplomat had been summoned on Friday after a Canadian Minister linked Home Minister Amit Shah to violence in Canada, particularly the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission, protesting statements made by Deputy Minister David Morrison before Canada’s parliamentary committee on public safety and national security.

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Stating that a diplomatic note had been handed over to the representative of the Canadian High Commission, the spokesperson said, "It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison."

Referring to reports of Canada admitting that its officials leaked sensitive information to the Washington Post, the Ministry of External Affairs said such actions will have "serious consequences" for ties between India and Canada.

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"In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view the Government of India has long held about the current Canadian government's political agenda and behavioural pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties," he warned.