The already strained relationship between India and Canada has plummeted to a new low following revelations of widespread surveillance targeting Indian diplomatic personnel. The Indian government confirmed in a parliamentary statement that Canadian authorities disclosed the ongoing audio and video surveillance of Indian consular officials in Vancouver. This admission, delivered directly to Indian consular officials, includes the interception of private communications.
This shocking revelation comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two nations. Canada recently accused the Indian government of assassinating Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist, on Canadian soil – an accusation India vehemently denies and has strongly protested through diplomatic channels, including a note verbale dated November 2, 2024. India views this accusation as baseless and a grave breach of diplomatic norms.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has publicly voiced its deep concern over the alarming security situation faced by its diplomats in Canada. The MEA previously highlighted the operating environment as one of extremism and violence, a claim now underscored by the confirmed surveillance. The Indian government has expressed its serious reservations over the inability of Canada to guarantee the minimum safety and security of its diplomatic missions and personnel.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, while responding to parliamentary questions, detailed the government’s ongoing engagement with Canada to ensure the protection of Indian diplomats and properties. However, the minister also highlighted a concerning development; the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security’s National Cyber Threat Assessment (NCTA) report for 2025-2026, released on October 30th, categorized India under ‘Section 1 – Cyber threat from state adversaries.’ This classification further fuels concerns about the nature and extent of the cyber threats facing Indian diplomats in Canada.
The Indian government has made it clear that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is paramount for a stable bilateral relationship. The ongoing dialogue between the two governments remains focused on addressing these critical issues. However, the confirmation of surveillance casts a long shadow over the future of India-Canada relations, raising serious questions about trust and diplomatic protocol. The incident underscores a significant challenge to maintaining stable diplomatic ties in an increasingly complex global landscape, raising serious questions about the future of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
