'Freedom Of Speech Cannot Extend To Intimidating Diplomats': Jaishankar On India's Temporary Suspension Of Visa Operations In Canada

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India expects action against the culprits involved in last year's attacks on its high commission in London and consulate in San Francisco as well as those involved in threatening the Indian diplomats in Canada.

He also highlighted the challenges faced by Indian diplomats in Canada, leading to a temporary halt in visa issuance due to threats and intimidation, with little support from Canadian authorities at the time.

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The suspension of visa services to Canadian citizens followed allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of possible Indian involvement in the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, claims that India vehemently denied. Visa services were later resumed.

Jaishankar emphasised India's ongoing concerns with Canada's tolerance of separatist, terrorist, and anti-India elements.

"We expect the culprits in the attack in our consulate in San Francisco to be brought to book, we expect action against people who stormed into our high commission in London and we expect action against people who threatened our diplomats (in Canada)," Jaishankar said at a summit organised by TV9 Network

The Indian high commission in London was attacked by certain pro-Khalistani elements on 19 March last year while there was an attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in July.

The Indian diplomats faced threats in Canada in September.

"We had to suspend issuance of visas in Canada because our diplomats were not safe going to work. Our diplomats were repeatedly threatened. They were intimidated in many ways and we got very little comfort from the Canadian system that time," Jaishankar said.

"We reached a stage when as a minister, I could not risk exposing the diplomats to the kind of violence which was very clearly prevalent in Canada at that time. That part of it has been rectified. Today, our visa operations are pretty much normal," he added.

He noted improvements in the situation since then but remained critical of the misuse of freedom of speech to justify threats and violence against diplomats.

"They (Canada) keep telling us that we are a democracy. There is freedom of speech and, therefore, people say these things," Jaishankar said.

"Freedom of speech cannot extend to intimidating diplomats who are doing their duty. Throwing smoke bombs to embassy and consulates, advocating violence and separatism against a friendly state is not freedom of speech, this is misuse of freedom of speech," he added.

Jaishankar said the culprits involved in these attacks on the Indian missions aborad must be brought to book.

"In the UK, we actually saw our high commission being attacked by mobs and honestly we did not get the kind of protection which we expected to get," Jaishankar said.

"Things have improved in the UK. We find today a much firmer response in Australia and in the US," he added.

"If a receiving state does not investigate and take action against someone who attacks our embassy and consulates, there is a message in it. I do not think it is good for any of these countries to send that kind of message for their own reputation," Jaishankar said. 

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