Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during the weekly press conference in New Delhi on November 2, 2024. Photo: X/@MEAIndia
India had summoned Canadian High Commissioner on Friday (November 1, 2024) to protest in the strongest terms for the references made to the Home Minister Amit Shah by the Canadian officials, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday (November 2, 2024).
The MEA said “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.”
The MEA statement also criticised senior Canadian officials including Deputy Foreiogn Minister Morrison for leaking “baseless” reports to international media in order to defame India.
“We had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday. A Diplomatic Note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024,” the MEA statement said.
“It was conveyed in the Note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison. In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view Government of India has long held about current Canadian Government’s political agenda and behavioral pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties” it added.
On Canadian cyber security report, the statement said, “This 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.”
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that NSA had met with Canadian officials in Singapore. According to reports the meeting went on for 5 hours, but the MEA said that Canada had not issued a shred of evidence in the Nijjar killing during the talks.
When asked why NSA met with Canadians at all, spokesperson says “there are several issues that are discussed” at such meetings.
On cancellation of Diwali Celebrations in Canada, the MEA 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.”
‘Flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions’
On the surveillance done by Cananda on Indian Officials, the MEA added “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.”
U.S. sanctions
The MEA said “On U.S. sanctions against 19 Indian companies, India takes a softer tone, says Indian companies must be sensitised on non proliferation protocols, asserts India’s record and membership of NP regimes.”
“We have seen reports on U.S. sanctions. India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and nonproliferation controls. We are also a member of three key multilateral non- proliferation export control regimes – the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, and have been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC resolution 1540 on non- proliferation,” the statement said.
“Our understanding is that the sanctioned transactions and companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India’s established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitise Indian companies on applicable export control provisions, as also inform them on new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances,” it noted, adding “Regular strategic trade/export control outreach events for Indian industries and stakeholders are being carried out by agencies of the Government of India. We are also in touch with the US authorities to clarify issues.”
Published – November 02, 2024 03:40 pm IST
