Canadian diplomat summoned after minister levelled allegations against Amit Shah

New Delhi: Rejecting a Canadian minister’s claim that Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Khalistani extremists in the country, India termed it as “absurd and baseless” and said a Canadian diplomat has been summoned.

Canada’s Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison had made these allegations while addressing members of the country’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Tuesday.

Responding to a question on Saturday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a representative of the Canadian High Commission was summoned on Friday and handed over a diplomatic note.

“The note conveyed that the Government of India strongly protests the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison,” Mr Jaiswal said. Mr Morrison had said he had confirmed Mr Shah’s name to the Washington Post, which first reported the allegations, and the Foreign Ministry said it proved that high-ranking Canadian officials deliberately leak baseless claims to the media. Mr Jaiswal warned that such actions would have “serious consequences” on relations between India and Canada.

“Indeed, the revelation that high-ranking Canadian officials deliberately leak baseless allegations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to malign India and influence other countries only confirms the Indian government’s long-standing view about the political agenda and behaviour pattern of the current Canadian government. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences on bilateral relations,” he said.

Categorisation, surveillance

Reacting to reports that Canada had designated India as an “adversary” along with China, North Korea Russia and Iran in its National Cyber ​​Threat Assessment, Mr Jaiswal said it was another example of allegations being made without evidence.

He said, “This appears to be another example of Canada’s strategy to attack India. As I mentioned earlier, their senior officials have openly admitted that they are trying to influence global opinion against India. As on other occasions, allegations have been made without any evidence.” The MEA spokesperson also said that some of India’s consulate officials had been informed by the Canadian government that they were under surveillance and said this was a “gross violation” of diplomatic conventions. He also made it clear that New Delhi views this action as harassment and intimidation. Mr Jaiswal said, “Some of our consulate officials were recently informed by the Canadian government that they were and still are under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian government as we consider these actions to be a gross violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions.” He said, “Citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify the fact that it is engaged in harassment and intimidation. Our diplomats and consular staff are already working in an environment of extremism and violence. This action by the Canadian government further aggravates the situation and is inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and practices.”

Diwali celebrations

When asked about the cancellation of Diwali celebrations to be held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa by Canadian Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, which led to a sharp reaction from the Indian community, Mr Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports in this regard. It is unfortunate that the current environment in Canada has reached a high level of intolerance and extremism.”

Regarding the reduction in the number of visas by the Canadian government, the spokesperson said the ministry is monitoring the well-being of students and temporary workers from India who are currently in Canada and its concern for their safety and security remains strong.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained ever since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year claimed without providing any evidence that “Indian agents” were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – an allegation that New Delhi has rejected multiple times.

Earlier this month, relations between the two countries deteriorated further when the Indian High Commissioner was named a “person of interest” in the killing. India rejected the new allegation as “ridiculous” and recalled the High Commissioner and some diplomats, while expelling six diplomats, including Canada’s acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.