New Delhi, March 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): After the United Kingdom and the United States, India, unnerved by rising support for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state comprising Indian Punjab, has summoned Canadian envoy to convey a strong concern about the activities of pro-Khalistan Sikh activists in Canada. The India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement in New Delhi said, the envoy was called “to convey our strong concern about the actions of separatist and extremist elements against our diplomatic Mission and Consulates in Canada this week”.

The Ministry announced on Sunday morning that the Canadian envoy, Cameron Mackay was summoned “to convey our strong concern about the actions of separatist and extremist elements against our diplomatic Mission and Consulates in Canada this week”. Last Sunday, the UK deputy high commissioner was summoned after pro-Khalistan protesters took down the Indian flag at the high commission in London. A few days later, the US embassy’s Charge D’Affaires was summoned by the External Affairs Ministry over the damage to the Indian consulate in San Francisco, also by pro-Khalistan groups which were protesting against the Punjab police’s crackdown on Sikh hardliner Amritpal Singh.

The statement said that the Canadian high commissioner was summoned over the series of protests being held at various Indian missions across 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 functions,” said the MEA press note.

Regular protests have been held outside diplomatic missions in Canada. Canadian media reported that hundreds had gathered outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver on Saturday to protest against the “crackdown” in Punjab. The Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly told lawmakers on Thursday that Canada was “aware of the evolving situation in Punjab, and we are following it very closely”. “We look forward to a return to a more stable situation. Canadians can always count on the Government of Canada to make sure that we will continue to address the concerns of many members of the community,” she said.

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