New Delhi:

As its ties with Canada remain at an all-time low, India said Saturday that some of its consular officials had been informed by the Canadian government that they were under audio and video surveillance, and called the action a “blatant violation » of the law. diplomatic conventions.

Asserting that Canada could not hide behind technicalities to justify its harassment and intimidation, India said it had lodged a protest with the Canadian government.

At a press conference on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Some of our consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they were and continue to be under surveillance audio and video. Their communications were also intercepted. have officially protested to the Canadian government, as we consider these actions to be a blatant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.

Noting that India’s diplomatic and consular staff already operate in an environment of “extremism and violence”, Mr. Jaiswal added: “By citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it engages in harassment and intimidation… This action by the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices. »

During the briefing, Jaiswal also revealed that a Canadian diplomat had been summoned on Friday following claims by Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison that Interior Minister Amit Shah had ordered targeting Khalistan extremists in the country.

Stating that a diplomatic note had been handed over to the representative of the Canadian High Commission, the spokesperson said: “It has been conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms against the absurd and basis made to the Union Home Minister of India before the committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison.

Referring to reports that Canada admitted that its officials leaked sensitive information to the Washington Post, the foreign ministry said such actions would have “serious consequences” for relations between India and Canada.

“In fact, the revelation that senior Canadian officials deliberately leaked baseless insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other countries only confirms the view that the Indian government has long had on the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavior. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences on bilateral relations,” he warned.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed last year – without providing any evidence – that “Indian agents” were involved in the assassination of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This allegation has been repeatedly denied by New Delhi, which has asked Canada to produce evidence to support this claim.

Relations hit a new low point earlier this month when the Indian high commissioner was branded a “person of interest” in the murder. India rejected the new accusation as “ridiculous” and withdrew the high commissioner and some diplomats while expelling six Canadian officials, including Canada’s acting high commissioner, Stewart Ross Wheeler.