Such Irresponsible Actions Will Have Serious Consequences…: India Warns Canada Over Charges Against Amit Shah

New Delhi: Referring to the allegations Canada had levelled against Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday stated that ‘such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.’

India has also summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission on Friday, conveying that New Delhi protested in the ‘strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references’ made to the Shah before a Parliamentary committee by Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison.

According to reports, a note protesting the accusations was handed over to the Canadian diplomat.

“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 that the government of India has long held about the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioural pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,”Jaiswal told reporters at a media briefing.

Earlier, Morrison confirmed it before a parliamentary panel that he had told a US-based newspaper that Shah was behind the plots of violence against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil, according to reports.

Two senior officials of the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government had also confessed to leaking intelligence and sensitive information against India to the newspaper even before the Canadian police publicly alleged that their investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar revealed links between ‘agents of the Indian government’ and ‘homicides and violent acts’ on Canadian soil.

‘Indian Consular officials under audio, video vigil in Canada…’

Meanwhile, Jaiswal also claimed that some of the Indian Consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian Government that they had been and continued to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications had also been intercepted; Jaiswal claimed.

Referring to this, Jaiswal said that India had protested such moves. “We have formally protested to the Canadian Government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions. By citing technicalities, the Canadian Government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation. Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian Government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” he said.

‘Cancellation of Diwali celebration in Canada’s Parliament unfortunate…’

Speaking about the reports of a cancelled Diwali celebration at Canada’s Parliament Hill, Jaiswal said: “We have seen some reports in this regard. It is unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism.”

Referring to the reports on the reduction in the number of Visas by the Canadian government, Jaiswal said New Delhi was monitoring the well-being of the Indian students and professionals in Canada. “Our concern for their safety and security remains strong,” he added.

India’s ties with Canada had suffered since September last year, when Trudeau alleged the Indian government’s “potential” involvement in Nijjar’s killing. India had time and again rejected the charges as “absurd” and “motivated”.