U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has condemned the attack that took place on March 19 on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco by Khalistani separatist elements.
Mr. Sullivan said via Twitter that the U.S. condemns the acts of violence against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. He further said that the U.S. is committed to the safety and security of Indian diplomats. He confirmed that the U.S. State Department is in touch with the local law enforcement authorities.
"We condemn the acts of violence against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. We are committed to the safety and security of these facilities and the diplomats who work within them. The State Department is in touch with local law enforcement on next steps in this matter," Mr. Sullivan wrote on Twitter on March 21.
Even after the "condemnation", more than 200 protesters waving Khalistan flags again descended upon the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on March 22 for a planned demonstration amid a heightened security presence of the San Francisco Police Department (SFDP).
Unlike the violent disorder on March 19 when the Consulate came under attack, the protesters were heavily barricaded across the road with uniformed SFPD officers standing guard and patrolling the area.
The protesters included turbaned men of all ages who chanted pro-Khalistan slogans. They came in from different parts of the Bay area. The organisers used mics to make anti-India speeches both in English and Punjabi language and attack the Punjab Police for alleged human rights violations.
Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said vandalism at Indian Consulate in San Francisco is "absolutely unacceptable" and is condemned by the U.S.
"We certainly condemn that vandalism, it's absolutely unacceptable. State Department's diplomatic security service is working with local authorities to properly investigate. The state Department will work on infrastructure perspective to repair the damage," Mr. Kirby said.
U.S. State Department spokesperson told ANI: “The United States condemns the attack against the Indian Consulate and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the United States. We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them.”
Khalistan supporters have started creating chaos across the world. After vandalism in London, Khalistan supporters attacked Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Videos of supporters breaking the doors and barging into the office surfaced on social media.
Visuals shared online show a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using them to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises.
In a meeting with the U.S. Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi on March 20, India conveyed its strong protest at the vandalisation of the property of the Consulate General of India, San Francisco.
”The U.S. Government was reminded of its basic obligation to protect and secure diplomatic representation. It was asked to take appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Our Embassy in Washington D.C. also conveyed our concerns to the U.S. State Department along similar lines,” read the Ministry of External Affairs press release.
