Indian Consulate in San Francisco vandalized by Khalistani extremists, Canada prioritizes safety of Indian Diplomats

Khalistani radicals have launched another attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, setting it on fire during the early hours of the morning, while, the Canadian government has labeled the proposed pro-Khalistan rally near Indian missions in the country as "unacceptable," raising concerns about the safety of senior Indian envoys.

However, the blaze was swiftly extinguished by the fire department, resulting in limited damage and no injuries to staff members, being the second attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco within the past five months.

Meanwhile, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly emphasized Canada's commitment to the safety of diplomats under the Vienna Conventions and expressed close contact with Indian officials regarding an upcoming protest scheduled for July 8th.

The threat perception surrounding Indian missions and envoys has intensified due to the circulation of promotional material by pro-Khalistan elements, featuring violent imagery, the phrase 'Kill India,' and photographs of Indian diplomats. India has already communicated its concerns to Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and local police departments in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

In response to the San Francisco arson incident, Canadian authorities have been alerted and security patrols at Canadian missions appear to have been reinforced by law enforcement agencies. A similar poster targeting Indian officials in the United States, including the Indian Ambassador to Washington and the Consul General in San Francisco, has also been circulated.

The pro-Khalistan rally, known as the Khalistan Freedom Rally, is organized in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered in British Columbia in June. However, Indian law enforcement and pro-Khalistan elements have differing views on the motive behind Nijjar's killing. While accusations have been made against India, investigations are ongoing, and no specific motive has been ascribed by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

Incidents of breaching security perimeters and damaging Indian diplomatic premises have occurred in previous protests, including attempts to remove the Indian flag from the building housing the Indian Consulate in Vancouver and the burning of the tricolor flag in front of the Consulate in Toronto.