Sat Nov 02 12:37:55 UTC 2024: ## India Accuses Canada of Spying on Consular Officials, Threatens Ties
**New Delhi, India** – India has accused Canada of violating diplomatic conventions by placing its consular officials under audio and video surveillance, escalating tensions between the two countries.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that some consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they were under surveillance and their communications were being intercepted. He deemed this action a “flagrant violation” of diplomatic norms.
India has lodged a formal protest with the Canadian government, arguing that the surveillance constitutes harassment and intimidation, especially considering the already challenging environment faced by Indian diplomatic personnel abroad.
The latest dispute comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, which began after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unsubstantiated claim that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has repeatedly refuted the claim and demanded evidence.
The situation worsened when Canada labelled India’s High Commissioner a person of interest in the killing, leading India to withdraw its High Commissioner and some diplomats while expelling six Canadian officials, including Canada’s acting High Commissioner.
Adding fuel to the fire, Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison alleged that India’s Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Khalistani extremists. India summoned a Canadian diplomat to protest this claim, calling it “absurd and baseless”.
Further straining relations, Canada reportedly admitted that its officials leaked sensitive information to the Washington Post. India condemned this action, calling it a “conscious strategy to discredit India” and warning that such actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.
The ongoing accusations and diplomatic actions highlight the deep rift between India and Canada, raising serious concerns about the future of their relationship.
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