External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday criticized Canada's double standards, pointing out the disparity between how it treats foreign diplomats on its soil and the leniency it grants to its own. His comments come amidst the escalating tensions between India and Canada following Ottawa's demand that India revoke the diplomatic immunity of High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was named as a 'person of interest' in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both countries have since expelled diplomats in retaliation.

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Jaishankar underscored Canada’s inconsistent approach to foreign diplomats gathering information. He highlighted that while Indian diplomats face restrictions in Canada, Canadian diplomats have greater freedom in India. "Canadian diplomats in India have no issues collecting information on our military, police, and profiling people, yet they impose limits on Indian diplomats doing the same in Canada," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also touched on the recurring use of "freedom of speech" by Canadian authorities to justify anti-India rhetoric on their soil. He criticized Canada's lack of response to threats against Indian leaders and diplomats. "When Indian officials are threatened in Canada, the answer is always 'freedom of speech,' but when Indian journalists make harmless observations, it suddenly becomes foreign interference," he noted.

The minister's remarks were in response to Canada's accusations of Indian media outlets engaging in "foreign interference" and "information manipulation." A report by a Canadian commission had cited India Today's 5Live program, which aired on September 13, as an example of such interference.

Jaishankar further emphasized that Canada must reconsider its selective application of rules when dealing with foreign diplomats and media. He remarked, "Canada's approach at home differs from how it acts abroad. These larger global adjustments need to be addressed."

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, in an interview with a Canadian broadcaster, called out Western nations for their hypocrisy regarding diplomatic missions. Verma confirmed that he and his team were monitoring pro-Khalistan and anti-India elements in Canada but stressed that they were not using covert methods. He argued that if Canadian politicians did not want Indian diplomats to be aware of their adversaries' activities, they were overlooking the basics of international relations.

The ongoing diplomatic rift between the two nations continues to escalate, with both sides standing firm on their positions regarding diplomatic conduct and freedom of speech.