Khushboo Verma, Jadetimes Staff
Khushboo Verma is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political News
India on Thursday strongly condemned the surveillance of its diplomats in Canada, calling it “totally unacceptable,” amid rising tensions between the two nations. The remarks were made by Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who also highlighted a year-long pattern of threats, intimidation, and harassment faced by Indian diplomats in Canada.
Addressing a press briefing, Jaiswal stated, “Indian diplomats are being put under surveillance, which is totally unacceptable. We have raised this issue directly with the Canadian government, and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has spoken about it as well.” He further added that despite India’s repeated requests, the Canadian government had failed to provide adequate security for Indian diplomats during consular camps, even as threats against them escalated.
“These threats have been increasing, and we continue to urge Canada to ensure the safety and security of our diplomats," Jaiswal emphasized. The growing security concerns come at a time when relations between India and Canada are already strained, with the latest diplomatic row adding fuel to an already volatile situation.
Attack on Hindu Temple in Brampton
The MEA also condemned the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, which took place last Sunday. The violence occurred outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir, a prominent place of worship for the Indian diaspora in the region. According to reports, Sikh activists clashed with rival groups, with videos circulating on social media showing individuals waving Khalistan flags confronting others holding Indian flags. Several isolated fistfights also broke out during the incident.
Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan group with a presence in both Canada and the United States, claimed responsibility for the protest, alleging that their members were demonstrating peacefully against the alleged presence of Indian consular officials inside the temple at the time of the incident. The attack, which has raised concerns about growing religious and political tensions in the region, was condemned by both the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We condemn the attack on the temple in Brampton, and we have called upon the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law and bring to justice those responsible for the violence," Jaiswal said.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Modi described the attack as a “deliberate and cowardly attempt to intimidate our diplomats.” He also made a direct appeal to the Canadian government to take appropriate action, stating, “Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Tensions Rise as Canada-India Relations Deteriorate
The attack on the Hindu temple is only the latest in a series of escalating tensions between India and Canada, particularly over issues related to the Sikh separatist movement. Canada, home to a large Sikh diaspora, has seen growing activism in support of the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state in India. The growing influence of these groups has led to friction with India, which views them as a threat to national security.
This latest incident comes at a time when Canadian authorities have faced repeated criticism from India for their failure to clamp down on extremist activities in the country. India has long urged Canada to take stronger action against pro-Khalistan elements operating within its borders, especially after a number of violent incidents and inflammatory rhetoric from such groups.
Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh
In addition to the situation in Canada, Jaiswal also addressed the ongoing violence against the Hindu community in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Recent attacks have resulted in looting and destruction of Hindu properties and businesses, reportedly sparked by incendiary social media posts targeting Hindu religious organizations.
“These attacks, instigated by extremist elements, have created tensions within the community,” Jaiswal said. “We urge the Government of Bangladesh to take strong measures to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and to address the activities of these extremist groups.”
The growing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, along with the recent attack on the temple in Canada, has placed pressure on India to call for stronger actions by the governments of both countries to ensure the safety of religious minorities and prevent further escalation.
India’s condemnation of the surveillance of its diplomats and the attack on the Hindu temple in Brampton signals a significant deterioration in Canada-India relations. As tensions continue to rise over issues of national security, religious violence, and diplomatic protections, both countries face increasing challenges in managing their bilateral ties. With the Canadian government under pressure to address these concerns, the future of India-Canada relations remains uncertain, especially as both nations grapple with domestic and international challenges linked to extremism and religious intolerance.
