The reported destruction and attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Sunday (local time) by pro-Khalistan activists has been harshly criticised by the US.
“The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offense,” US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a tweet on Monday (local time).
Around 1:40 AM on Sunday, a group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire, sources told.
A video of the incident was verified by sources who told the reporters that the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department. Calling the attack nothing less than a terror act an official told that no major damages or staffers were harmed.
The Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities were notified and immediately began investigating the incident.
There have been several rounds of meetings with police and administration officials after the incident that prompted sharp and immediate action against those responsible for the incident.
Also, Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Dr TV Nagendra Prasad, Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco, have been targeted in a poster purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists who have accused them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, on Monday, said that India has requested partner countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia not to give space to the Khalistanis as these radical extremist ideologies.
On names of Indian diplomats in Khalistani posters in Canada, Jaishankar said, “We have requested our partner countries, like Canada, UK, Australia, US that they should not give space to these Khalistanis. These radical extremist ideologies aren’t good for us, them, or our ties. Will raise the issue of these posters.”