Kirti Singh was additionally requested the steps taken to make sure the protection of Indian diplomats (Representational)
Consular officers on the Indian consulate in Vancouver have been lately knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been and proceed to be underneath “audio and video surveillance” and that their “non-public communications” have additionally been “intercepted”, the Centre knowledgeable Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of State for Exterior Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response in Rajya Sabha additionally stated “respect for one another’s issues, territorial integrity and sovereignty are important for a steady bilateral relationship”.
Mr Singh was requested whether or not there are any situations of cyber surveillance or different types of surveillance focusing on Indian diplomats in Canada.
“Sure. Not too long ago, consular officers on the Indian Consulate in Vancouver have been knowledgeable by the Canadian authorities that they’ve been, and proceed to be underneath audio and video surveillance and that their non-public communications have additionally been intercepted.”
“Authorities of India lodged a powerful protest with the Canadian Excessive Fee in New Delhi on this subject vide its word verbale dated November 2, 2024 as these actions have been a flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions,” Mr Singh stated in his response.
The minister in his response additionally quoted a response of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) spokesperson in his weekly briefing to the media lately right here.
“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 surroundings of extremism and violence.”
“This motion of the Canadian Authorities aggravates the state of affairs and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” the spokesperson had stated.
Mr Singh was additionally requested the main points and the steps taken to make sure the protection of Indian diplomats.
“On the query of security and safety of Indian diplomats in Canada, the Authorities of India stays repeatedly engaged with the Canadian aspect to make sure that sufficient safety is obtainable always to our diplomatic personnel and properties,” he stated.
The minister additionally stated the Canadian Centre for Cyber Safety, in its biennial Nationwide Cyber Menace Evaluation (NCTA) report for 2025-2026 launched on October 30, “positioned India underneath ‘Part 1 – Cyber risk from state adversaries'”.
The MEA had responded to the report on November 2, stating that it was yet one more instance of Canada’s “damaging” strategy to ties with India. As on different events, imputations have been made about India “with none proof”, the minister stated, quoting MEA’s response.
In a separate written response, Mr Singh additionally replied to queries on the steps taken for resolving points with Canada and whether or not it’s a proven fact that the Authorities of Canada has “expressed its incapacity” to supply minimal safety to our embassy, consulates and diplomats.
“The 2 governments are in contact concerning the state of their bilateral ties. Respect for one another’s issues, territorial integrity and sovereignty are important for a steady bilateral relationship.
“On this regard, Authorities of India has repeatedly urged the Canadian Authorities to take immediate and efficient motion towards anti-India components working from its soil. This contains stopping secessionist and extremist components from glorifying the assassination of our leaders issuing threats to our present political management and diplomats disrespecting and vandalising locations of worship and espousing for the balkanisation of India by holding so-called ‘referendums’,” he added.
Mr Singh additional stated whereas the Canadian authorities have been capable of present “safety safety to our diplomats and diplomatic properties”, they’ve lately “expressed their incapacity to supply safety cowl to our consular camps from the violent acts of secessionist and extremist components”.
With almost 1.8 million Indo-Canadians (accounting for about 4.7 per cent of Canada’s inhabitants) and one other 1 million comprising non-resident Indians together with roughly 4,27,000 Indian college students, Canada hosts one of many largest Indian diasporas overseas, he stated.
“As such, the welfare, security and safety of Indian nationals in Canada is of utmost significance to Authorities of India,” the Union minister stated.
The relations between the 2 nations got here underneath extreme pressure following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September final yr of a “potential” involvement of Indian brokers in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s costs as “absurd”.
India has been sustaining that the principle subject between the 2 nations is that of Canada is giving area to pro-Khalistan components working from Canadian soil with impunity.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)