India on Saturday accused Canada of engaging in “harassment and intimidation” of Indian consular staff there by placing them under audio and video surveillance, in “blatant violation” of diplomatic conventions.

Responding to a question at a press briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said that India has “formally protested” to the Canadian government.

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He was asked about reports claiming many Indian diplomats in Canada are under surveillance amid the diplomatic standoff.

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“Yes, some of our consular officers were recently informed by the Canadian government that they were and continued to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications were also intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian government, as we consider these actions to be a blatant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” Jaiswal told reporters.

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“By invoking technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it engages in harassment and intimidation,” he alleged.

Relations between the two countries came under strain following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s accusations, calling them “absurd.”

India maintains that the main issue between the two countries is Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.

India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other “targeted” officials from Canada after strongly rejecting Ottawa’s accusations.

“Our diplomatic and consular staff already operate in an environment of extremism and violence. This action by the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal said.