India Summons Canada Envoy Over Khalistan Protest, Flags Security Concerns


India Summons Canada Envoy Over Khalistan Protest, Flags Security Concerns

Khalistan supporters protested against crackdown on Amritpal Singh (File)

New Delhi:

The centre has summoned the Canadian High Commissioner over Khalistan protests outside the Indian missions and consulates over the last few days.

India has lodged a strong protest over security arrangements outside its diplomatic premises in Canada.

“It is expected that the Canadian Government will take all steps which are required to ensure the safety of our diplomats and security of our diplomatic premises so that they are able to fulfil their normal diplomatic functionsm,” read a statement shared by Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the foreign ministry

“The Government of India sought an explanation on how such elements were allowed, in the presence of police, to breach the security of our diplomatic Mission and Consulates,” the statement said.

Last Sunday, an event in Canada was cancelled due to security concerns after a violent protest by Khalistan supporters.

The event had been organised at the Taj Park Convention Centre in Surrey to honour Sanjay Kumar Verma, the Indian envoy to Canada, while he was on his first visit to the west coast.

An Indian-orgin journalist, who was at the event to cover the protest, was also reportedly assaulted by the radicals.

The protest came amid a massive crackdown on radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.