Serious Matter, Accountability Expected’: EAM S Jaishankar on San Francisco Consulate Attack
Summary
In 2023, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco faced multiple attacks, including arson, vandalism, and harassment of officials, allegedly by pro-Khalistani protestors. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar condemned the incidents, calling them “very serious matters,” and urged the United States to ensure accountability by holding the perpetrators responsible. The US government condemned the attack as a “criminal offense,” and the FBI assured India’s National Investigation Agency that it was actively investigating the matter.
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on Thursday, termed the 2023 attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco as a “very serious matter” and emphasized that India expects accountability from the United States.
Addressing the incident at a press conference in Washington DC, Jaishankar stated, “The arson attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very, very serious matter, and it is something for which we expect accountability. We would like to see that people who did it are held responsible.”
Timeline of the Incident
– On March 19, 2023, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco suffered a series of attacks. Assailants attempted to set the consulate on fire using inflammable substances.
– Later that day, attackers engaged in vandalism, criminal trespass, and targeted consulate officials. Video footage showed suspected pro-Khalistani protestors shouting slogans and heckling staff outside the building.
– In July 2023, Khalistani extremists made another attempt to torch the consulate, prompting an investigation.
The US strongly condemned the incident as a “criminal offense.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later assured India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) that it was “aggressively” pursuing the case.
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source :The Times of India