Safety of Indians in Canada a priority: MoS External Affairs V Muraleedharan

Questions were raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday about the upsurge in reports of hate crimes and violence against Indians in Canada.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, when asked about the same, iterated that the safety and well-being of Indians in Canada is a priority for the government.

“The safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Canada is a priority for the government. The Indian Mission/Consulates in Canada are constantly engaged with the Indian community, including on measures to ensure their safety and well-being,” Muraleedharan stated in the Rajya Sabha, adding that India is in regular communication with the North American nation regarding the violence against Indian nationals.

“The ministry and our Mission/Consulates in Canada regularly take up any untoward incidents related to the Indian community, with the concerned Canadian authorities and request them to ensure proper investigation, identify the perpetrators and impart justice,” the MoS continued.

Alongside communication with the Canadian Government, India regularly also issues advisories for Indian nationals in Canada to be cautious and vigilant regarding such instances of violence, Muraleedharan added further.

Most recently, the Indian Consulate General in Toronto condemned the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton, stating that the incident hurt the sentiment of the Indian diaspora residing in the country.