New Delhi, November 4, 2024: Foreign affairs expert Sushant Sareen voiced serious concerns over Canada’s recent surveillance of Indian diplomats, calling it a “breach of diplomatic traditions” that highlights the growing rift between the two nations. Sareen warned that diplomatic relations are at an all-time low, stating, “there is no scope for improvement” in the near future.
In an interview, Sareen criticised Canadian authorities for their actions against India’s diplomatic mission, describing it as a violation of established protocols. “The action being taken by Canadian authorities against the Indian High Commission is against diplomatic traditions,” Sareen said. “So far, we have been saying that Canada is not an issue for India, but the Canadian government is. But we are increasingly realizing that relations between Canada’s political system and India are deteriorating. And there is no scope for improvement.”
Sareen further asserted that traditional diplomacy is no longer effective, urging the Indian government to adopt a firmer approach. “The traditional diplomacy that we were trying to do with Canada will not work now. The Indian government should now think about it. Just saying that we strongly protest this or there will be severe consequences will not work. If there are serious consequences, then show them,” Sareen said, comparing the strained India-Canada relationship to that with Pakistan, adding, “Canada is taking all this action under the influence of America…”
Adding to the criticism, former diplomat Yash Sinha called the surveillance “truly astonishing” and a blatant contravention of diplomatic and consular conventions. “For consular agents of a country with representation in another country, to be subjected to this sort of surveillance is in contravention of the relevant conventions,” he stated, noting that “a civilized democratic country like Canada” should not engage in such tactics.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced a formal protest on Saturday, condemning Canada’s surveillance of Indian consular officials as “flagrant violations” of diplomatic norms. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticised Canada’s justification for the surveillance, saying, “These actions amount to harassment and intimidation of Indian diplomatic personnel,” and urged Canada to cease such activities immediately.
Tensions between India and Canada have been high since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged last year that Indian officials were potentially involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has categorically denied the claims, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” while accusing Canada of fostering extremist elements on its soil.
