By Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
Reacting to a weekend protest in front of the Indian consulate in Vancouver, the Indian government has summoned Canada’s High Commission to express concerns over the presence of Sikh extremism in Canada.
India described the protest as “an infringement of diplomatic space” and raised the alarm over Khalistani extremist symbols.
“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 functions,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“The high commissioner of Canada was summoned yesterday to convey our strong concern about the actions of separatist and extremist elements against our diplomatic Mission and Consulates in Canada this week.”
This comes after an event featuring India’s High Commissioner to Canada was cancelled in British Columbia after threats of protest by Khalistani separatists.
The recent wave of protests was sparked after Indian authorities launched a manhunt for Sikh preacher and extremist Amritpal Singh.
Police accuse Singh of attempted murder and obstruction of law enforcement.