"We Expect Action Against People Who Threatened Our Diplomats": MEA S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar said that India expects actions against the culprits that are involved in attacks against India’s high commission in London. The MEA said India authorities to take actions against those who attacked Indian consulate in San Francisco and against those involved in threatening of Indian diplomats in Canada.

During the summit organized by TV9 Network, the minister said, “we expect the culprits in the attack in our consulate in San Francisco to be brought to book, we expect action against people who stormed into our high commission in London and we expect action against people who threatened our diplomats (in Canada)”.

The minister said India has suspended the issuance of visas in Canada as Indian diplomats were repeatedly “threatened and intimidated in many ways”. He added that India got “very little comfort from the Canadian system that time”.

As per media report, Pro-Khalistan elements targeted the Indian high commission in London last March. While there was an attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco in last July.

In September 2023, India has suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The suspension was for temporary period. The move came after the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau’s allegations of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Najjar. India strongly rejected the accusations.

S Jaishankar also highlighted concerns about the space provided to separatist and anti-Indian elements in Canada. The external affairs minister condemned the misuse of freedom of speech to advocate violence and separatism. He said, diplomatic intimidation cannot be justified under the guise of free speech.

By acknowledging the responses from countries like UK, Australia, and the US, the minister stressed the need for consistent and robust measures to protect diplomatic mission and personnel worldwide.