Indian consular officials ‘under audio, video surveillance,’ in Canada, their ‘private communications’ monitored: Centre

Canadian authorities have informed the officials at the Indian consulate that they have been and continue to be under “audio and video surveillance”, and their “private communications” have also been “intercepted”, the Centre told Parliament on Thursday.

The Indian government raised strong objection with Canada over the issue in November as they violate all diplomatic provisions, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response in Rajya Sabha.

While responding to a question on instances of cyberattacks on Indian diplomats in Canada, Singh wrote, “Yes. Recently, consular officials at the Indian Consulate in Vancouver were informed by the Canadian authorities that they have been, and continue to be under audio and video surveillance and that their private communications have also been intercepted.”

Highlighting essential conditions for stronger bilateral ties between two countries, MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh said, “respect for each other's concerns, territorial integrity and sovereignty are essential for a stable bilateral relationship”.

‘India lodged strong protest with Canada’: MoS

"The Government of India lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on this issue vide its note verbale dated November 2, 2024, as these actions were a flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions," Singh said.

The minister also quoted a response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson in his weekly briefing to the media.

The MEA said that Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government is “indulging in harassment and intimidation”. “Our diplomatic and consular personnel are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence,” MEA said in a briefing earlier.

"This action of the Canadian Government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices," the spokesperson said.

India placed under Canada's cyber threat list

Singh was also asked about the details and the steps taken to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats. "On the question of safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada, the Government of India remains continuously engaged with the Canadian side to ensure that adequate protection is offered at all times to our diplomatic personnel and properties," he said.

India's relations with Canada have worsened over the days. In a major blow to diplomatic ties, India was placed under ‘Section 1- Cyber threat from state adversaries’, in Canada's biennial National Cyber Threat Assessment (NCTA) report for 2025-2026.

The MEA had responded to the report on November 2, stating that it was yet another example of Canada's "negative" approach to ties with India. As on other occasions, imputations have been made about India “without any evidence”, the minister said, quoting MEA's response.

Security to Indian consular camps 

In his response, Singh cited Canadian authority's response on whether they would be able to provide security to Indian consular officials. In their response, Canadian authorities said that they would be able to provide "security protection to our diplomats and diplomatic properties", but they have recently “expressed their inability to provide security cover to our consular camps from the violent acts of secessionist and extremist elements”, said Singh.

"The two governments are in touch regarding the state of their bilateral ties. Respect for each other's concerns, territorial integrity and sovereignty are essential for a stable bilateral relationship.

"In this regard, the Government of India has repeatedly urged the Canadian Government to take prompt and effective action against anti-India elements operating from its soil. This includes preventing secessionist and extremist elements from glorifying the assassination of our leaders, issuing threats to our current political leadership and diplomats, disrespecting and vandalising places of worship and espousing for the balkanisation of India by holding so-called referendums," he added.