India accuses Canada of monitoring consular staff amid escalating diplomatic tensions following allegations of involvement in a separatist murder.

Amid a deepening diplomatic crisis, the Indian government has made serious allegations against Canadaclaiming that Canadian authorities engaged in surveillance of Indian consular staff. On Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned Ottawa’s actions, saying it had lodged a protest in the “strongest possible terms” following comments made by a Canadian minister regarding the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Union Interior, Amit Shah.

The controversy intensified after Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison suggested during a parliamentary session that a senior official in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was involved in plans to attack separatists Sikhs residing in Canada. The claim drew a swift and stern rebuke from Indian officials, emphasizing that the allegations were “absurd and baseless” and warning of serious repercussions for bilateral relations.

Randhir Jaiswal, the MEA spokesperson, revealed that some Indian consular officials had been informed by the Canadian government that they were under audio and video surveillance. Jaiswal called the actions harassment and intimidation, saying: “Our diplomatic and consular staff are already operating in an environment of extremism and violence.”

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He further clarified that the Canadian government’s justifications, which cited technical details, could not obscure the fact that such surveillance practices constituted a blatant violation of diplomatic norms. Jaiswal said interception of communications significantly hampers the ability to enforce established diplomatic protocols.

The current diplomatic standoff began last month after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that some Indian agents were involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in September 2023. The allegation prompted India to recall its high commissioner in Ottawa and other diplomats deemed targeted. In retaliation, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, a move that India also imitated.

Since these events, the two nations have engaged in a war of words marked by a series of accusations and counter-accusations. Diplomatic frictions show no signs of abating, with both governments remaining firm on their positions.

The situation has raised concerns about the broader implications for diplomatic relations and cooperation between India and Canada, two countries with important ties in trade, education and cultural exchange. As tensions escalate, observers are wondering how this diplomatic standoff will play out and what it means for the future of Indo-Canadian relations.

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