In its response to Canada’s allegation that Union home minister Amit Shah authorised attacks on Sikhs in Canada, Indian govt said on Saturday that it summoned the country’s diplomat to strongly protest the “absurd and baseless” references made by their minister before a parliamentary panel. New Delhi warned Ottawa that the leakage of “unfounded insinuations” to discredit India will have serious consequences for the bilateral relationship. India also protested audio and visual surveillance of its consular officials in Canada, saying such actions only aggravate the situation and are against established diplomatic norms. While confirming the meeting that NSA Ajit Doval had with Canadian officials in Singapore last month, the foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated that Canada hasn’t provided any evidence to back its claims about the involvement of Indian govt in attacks on its nationals.
The ministry said a diplomatic note was handed over to the Canadian high commission representative here in reference to the hearing on Oct 29 in which deputy foreign minister David Morrison alleged that Shah had authorised the attacks, conveying India’s protest against the reference to the home minister “in the strongest terms”.

In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view Govt of India has long held about the current Canadian govt’s political agenda and behavioural pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Responding to labelling of India as an “adversary” in a cybersecurity report, the official said this appeared to be another example of a Canadian strategy to attack India. “As I mentioned earlier, their senior officials have openly confessed that they are seeking to manipulate global opinion against India. As on other occasions, imputations are made without any evidence,” he said, adding New Delhi’s main concern with Canada remained the space provided to pro-Khalistan extremists seeking to target Indian interests. The ministry also said that some Indian consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian govt that they had been and continued to be under audio and video surveillance, adding India had lodged a protest with Ottawa about these actions. “Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian govt as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” said the official, adding that by citing technicalities, the Canadian govt cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.

Jaiswal said Indian diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. “This action of the Canadian govt aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” he said.

Asked about Diwali celebrations being cancelled by Canadian politicians, the official said it’s unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in the country has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism. Amid concerns that the widening dispute between the two countries could impact the flow of students and workers from India, MEA also said that it’s monitoring the wellbeing of students and temporary workers from India who are currently in Canada. “Our concern for their safety and security remains strong,” said the official.

Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre had cancelled Diwali celebrations amid the ongoing diplomatic row with India.

After another round of expulsion of officials from India, Canada has only four immigration officials left in the country. This affects Canada’s ability to process visas on-site, immigration minister Marc Miller was quoted as saying by Reuters this week. “I have told my colleagues in Parliament that this could get worse before it gets better, and they need to brace for it,” he said.