Indian Diplomats in Canada Under Surveillance, Government Informs Parliament

India has raised concerns over the surveillance of its diplomats in Canada, revealing that consular officials at the Indian Consulate in Vancouver have been subjected to both audio and video monitoring. The Centre disclosed this information in a written response to Parliament on Thursday, following inquiries about the safety and security of Indian diplomats abroad.

Minister's Statement

Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha that Canadian authorities had recently notified the Indian consular officials in Vancouver about being under constant surveillance. The communication also revealed that their private communications had been intercepted.

In response, India lodged a formal protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on November 2, 2024, calling these actions a violation of diplomatic protocols. Singh emphasized that the surveillance is a breach of established diplomatic norms and raised concerns about the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.

Diplomatic Tensions

The minister also referred to comments from a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, who strongly criticized Canada's actions, calling them an attempt to harass and intimidate Indian diplomatic staff. The spokesperson also highlighted the difficult environment under which Indian consular personnel already work in Canada, given the presence of extremist and violent elements in the country.

India has expressed concerns about the presence of pro-Khalistan groups in Canada, accusing them of harassing Indian diplomats, vandalizing places of worship, and calling for the division of India. The MEA spokesperson reiterated that Canada’s actions in allowing such activities to persist were detrimental to bilateral relations.

Canadian Cybersecurity Report

The issue of surveillance comes shortly after the release of Canada's National Cyber Threat Assessment (NCTA) report for 2025-2026, which included India in its list of countries facing threats from state adversaries. India has sharply criticized the report, dismissing its claims as baseless and indicative of Canada's biased approach toward India.

Efforts to Ensure Diplomatic Safety

Regarding the protection of Indian diplomats, Minister Singh stated that India has been in continuous dialogue with Canadian authorities to ensure that its diplomatic personnel and properties are adequately protected. However, he acknowledged Canada's recent challenges in providing sufficient security against violent actions from secessionist and extremist factions operating on Canadian soil.

India continues to press Canada to take stronger actions against elements engaged in anti-India activities, including those responsible for the glorification of terrorist acts and the spreading of separatist ideologies.

Large Indian Diaspora in Canada

The minister also emphasized the importance of safeguarding the welfare of the Indian community in Canada, which includes over 1.8 million Indo-Canadians and around 427,000 Indian students. Given the large Indian diaspora in Canada, the safety of Indian nationals remains a top priority for the Indian government.

Bilateral Strains

Relations between India and Canada have been increasingly strained, particularly since September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistan extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India strongly rejected these allegations, calling them unfounded.

Conclusion

The ongoing diplomatic tensions underscore the complexities of the India-Canada relationship, which has been marked by differing views on issues such as national security, territorial integrity, and the protection of diplomatic personnel. India continues to urge Canada to take meaningful action to address these concerns and protect its diplomats and nationals.