New Delhi, 04th July 2023: The anticipated rally by pro-Khalistan elements to Indian missions in the country has been described as ‘unacceptable’ by the Canadian government, raising concerns about the safety of its top envoys.
Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, said in a statement issued on Twitter on Monday evening, “Canada takes its obligations under Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8th, which are unacceptable.”
After pro-Khalistan elements distributed a poster with violent imagery, the words ‘Kill India,’ and photographs of India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, Consul General in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava, and Consul General in Vancouver Manish, concern about the security of Indian missions and envoys grew.
India has previously informed Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the country’s foreign ministry, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is in charge of diplomatic security, and local police in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver of its fears.
