New Delhi: India summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday and handed over a diplomatic note to convey its protest in the strongest terms about the absurd and baseless references made to Union Home Minister Amit Shah by Deputy Minister David Morrison.
“In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leaked unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view that Government of India has long held about the current Canadian Government’s political agenda and behavioral pattern.
“Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” the MEA spokesperson said.
Morrison, while testifying on October 29 before MPs on the public safety and national security committee, when asked to comment that Canadian officials identified Home Minister Amit Shah as one of the senior officials who authorized intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists in Canada, confirmed the news.
“The journalists called me and asked me if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person,” Morrison told the MPs on the panel.
On Canada describing India as a “cyber adversary” in its National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026, the MEA spokesperson said that it “appears to be another example of a Canadian strategy to attack India”.
“As I mentioned earlier, their senior officials have openly confessed that they are seeking to manipulate global opinion against India. As on other occasions, imputations are made without any evidence.”
He also said that surveillance is being done by Canada on Indian Officials there, and that India has formally protested to the Canadian Government regarding that.
“Some of our Consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian Government that they have been and continued to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted.
“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.”
On the sudden cancellation of Diwali celebrations by the opposition leader Pierre Poilievre that were scheduled to take place at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the spokesperson 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.”
On reports that Canada is issuing fewer visas that was affecting Indian students, he said:
“We are obviously monitoring the well-being of students and temporary workers from India who are currently in Canada. Our concern for their safety and security remains strong.”
