In a massive development, the Canadian High Commissioner to India was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over Khalistani posters in Canada which showed the names of Indian diplomats. Furthermore, the Canadian Envoy was summoned over the rally planned by the Khalistani supporters in Toronto and MEA expressed their concerns over the safety of Indian diplomats. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came into action after the pro-Khalistani supporters set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire which was claimed by the Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a designated terrorist group in India. As per reports, the attacks were carried out by the SFJ supporters in order to avenge the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a slain Khalistani terrorist in Canada.
For those who are unaware, the threat of the SFJ is rising against India. A poster being shared on social media says that a "Khalistan Freedom Rally" will be organised on July 8 that will start in Berkeley, California and end at the Indian embassy in San Francisco. Coming back to Canada, a pro-Khalistan poster emerged in Canada which had pictures and names of Indian envoy to Canada, High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and Consul General of India to Toronto Apoorva Srivastava claiming that India was responsible for the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Nijjar.
As per the viral poster, a ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally will be held on 8 July at 12.30 pm. The rally is set to start from Great Punjab Business Centre and will end at Indian Embassy at Toronto, the poster claims.
Notably, after the poster issuing a direct threat to Indian diplomats went viral, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned Canada against giving space to Khalistani elements. While talking to the reporters, S Jaishankar said, "We have requested our partner countries like Canada, US, UK and Australia, where sometimes Khalistani activities happen, not to give space to the Khalistanis. Because they’re (Khalistanis) radical, extremist thinking is neither good for us nor them nor our relations."
On this Canada had also reacted. Canada has assured the safety of Indian diplomats ahead of the 'Khalistan Freedom Rally' on July 8. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joy took to her Twitter handle and issued a statement saying, "Canada takes its obligations under the 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 8, which are unacceptable."
My comment regarding some of the promotional material circulating for a planned protest on July 8. pic.twitter.com/yYoWDCvAdi
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) July 4, 2023
Now, after the recent attack on Indian Consulate in San Francisco, the MEA summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay on Monday to convey concerns ahead of protests by pro-Khalistan terrorist outfits outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, and two consulates in Toronto and Vancouver on July 8. Notably, the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, Consul General Vancouver Manish, Consul General Toronto Apoorva Srivastava were named in the posters circulated by the extremists, claiming that India was responsible for the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Nijjar. And this is the reason why there is a threat on the Indian diplomats in Canada.