Tensions have escalated, with India issuing a diplomatic note to the Canadian High Commission representative in New Delhi
India has condemned Canada for allegedly placing its diplomats under surveillance, calling the action “totally unacceptable.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed strong disapproval through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who addressed the issue in a recent press briefing. Jaiswal highlighted India’s growing concerns regarding the safety of its diplomatic staff in Canada, emphasizing a disturbing rise in threats, harassment, and intimidation.
“Indian diplomats are being put under surveillance, which is completely unacceptable,” Jaiswal stated. He noted that India has already voiced its concerns forcefully to Canadian officials, urging them to safeguard Indian diplomats amidst escalating security issues. “Over the past year, various incidents have targeted Indian diplomats, involving threats, intimidation, and harassment, and these incidents have only intensified recently,” he added.
Jaiswal further criticized Canada’s failure to ensure adequate security for an Indian consular camp, despite repeated requests for protection. “We asked for security where the consular camp was to be held, but the Canadian side has yet to fulfill this request,” he said.
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This formal note sharply rebuked Deputy Minister David Morrison for his recent “baseless” comments about India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah, made during a session of Ottawa’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
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India’s appeal to Canada is clear: it seeks immediate and robust action to address the safety of its diplomats and curb extremist forces within Canadian borders
This diplomatic tension follows Canada’s recent allegations suggesting Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed these claims as “absurd and baseless.” The allegations have contributed to an already strained relationship, marked by a series of diplomatic confrontations between the two countries.
Canada has witnessed a surge in extremist activities associated with Khalistani separatists, involving violent protests and attacks on Hindu temples. Last Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton was violently disrupted, drawing widespread condemnation from various quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly denounced the incident on Monday, calling it a “cowardly attempt to intimidate” Indian diplomats. He urged Canadian authorities to uphold justice and maintain the rule of law.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently on an official visit to Australia, also addressed the attack in Brampton. In a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Jaishankar expressed India’s deep concern over the rising influence of extremist groups in Canada. He remarked that such groups appear to be receiving “political space” to operate within the country.
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