Indian consular officials in Canada are currently under audio and video surveillance, with their private communications being intercepted, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed in a statement to Parliament on Thursday. This disclosure came in response to a question about cyber surveillance or other forms of monitoring of Indian diplomats in Canada.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that Indian consular officials in Vancouver were recently informed by Canadian authorities about the ongoing surveillance. The Indian government has called this a serious breach of diplomatic protocols and lodged a formal protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on November 2, 2024.
"Consular officials at the Indian Consulate in Vancouver were told by Canadian authorities that they have been under audio and video surveillance, and their private communications have been intercepted," Singh said.
The Indian government considers this action a violation of diplomatic standards and expressed its concerns strongly to the Canadian High Commission. In response, India has emphasized that Canada’s actions are contributing to an increasingly hostile environment for Indian diplomats, who are already facing challenges from extremism and violence.
The MEA also criticized Canada for failing to ensure the safety of Indian officials during consular camps, where essential services such as life certificates for retirees are provided. These camps have been targeted by extremist groups, further hindering the work of Indian diplomats.
Relations between India and Canada have been tense, especially after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India strongly denied these accusations, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.
Furthermore, India expressed concerns over Canada’s National Cyber Threat Assessment (NCTA) 2025-2026 report, which labeled India as a cyber threat. India has dismissed the report, viewing it as part of Canada's ongoing negative stance in bilateral relations.
The welfare and safety of the large Indian diaspora in Canada, including 1.8 million Indo-Canadians and nearly 427,000 Indian students, remain a priority for India. The Indian government has urged Canada to take stronger measures to prevent violence, vandalism, and acts glorifying the assassination of Indian leaders, which have been linked to anti-India elements in Canada.
Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its nationals in Canada and continues to engage with Canadian authorities to address these concerns.
Canada Clarifies No Evidence Linking Indian Leaders to Criminal Activities
Canada Implements Stricter Rules for International Students Switching Schools
Canada Revises Immigration Policies to Address Population Growth Concerns