As reported by media outlets, India has withdrawn more consular camps in Canada amid growing tensions between the two countries. New Delhi stated that the camps were cancelled since Canadian security agencies were incapable of providing even the “minimum security against heightened threats.”
The Consulate General of India in Toronto also stated that most of these camps were not held at any places of worship, including one at a police facility.
Due to the ongoing inability conveyed by security agencies to deliver minimum security against heightened threats, the Consulate has had to withdraw some more consular camps. Most of them were not at any areas of worship, including one at a police facility.
Besides this, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver reported that it will delay its consular camp scheduled for November 24 at Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Temple to December 1. “It will now be held on 1 Dec 2024 at Aria Banquet & Convention Centre, 12350 Pattullo pl. Surrey, BC V3V 8C3 between 9 am and 1 pm,” as per the Indian Consulate.
The latest action comes days after the Indian High Commission in Canada determined to cancel some of the consular centres after Khalistani mobs struck two such camps in Brampton and Surrey on November 2 and 3. On November 2, a Khalistani mob penetrated the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and pounded devotees. The temple managed a consular camp, and the Peel Police failed to guard the devotees and act against the mob.
After the seizure, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that consular services were impacted due to security situations while expressing hope that the camps would persist in other cities. Barred pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) stated that its supporters protested the existence of Indian consular officials who came to help in administrative services.
India and Canada’s connections have been pushed since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian agencies were involved in taking down Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. New Delhi denied Ottawa’s allegations and blamed the Trudeau administration for indulging in appeasement politics.
