In a significant move, India has called off a planned consular camp in Toronto due to security concerns. The decision comes just days after an attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, raised alarms about the safety of Indian nationals and diplomats in Canada.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the cancellation of the camp, which was scheduled for the weekend, citing insufficient security assurances from local authorities. The consular camp was part of a series of routine operations organized by Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, aimed at providing services such as life certificates to Indian nationals and people of Indian origin, especially ahead of the year-end when many require documentation for pension continuation and other purposes.
Security Concerns Amid Rising Tensions
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained the reason for the cancellation, emphasizing that the Toronto consulate had not received the necessary security support from the Canadian government. “You would have seen the message posted by our consulate in Toronto that they had to cancel the consular camp they were planning to organize over the weekend because they did not receive adequate security or security assurance from the host government,” Jaiswal said in a statement.
The cancellation follows heightened tensions in the region, with increasing concerns over the safety of the Indian diaspora in Canada. Notably, an attack on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, was reported earlier this week, raising fears of escalating violence targeting Indian cultural and religious sites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, calling it a “deliberate assault on a Hindu temple in Canada.”
India’s Diplomatic Response
The consulate’s decision to cancel the camp underscores the challenges faced by India in organizing such events amid growing threats from anti-India groups. A statement from the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed that the cancellation was due to the inability of local security agencies to provide the minimum protection necessary for the camp.
“Security agencies have conveyed their inability to provide the required security protection to the community camp organizers, prompting the Consulate to cancel the scheduled consular camps,” the statement read.
The consular camps, which are co-organized by Indian diplomatic missions and local community groups, are vital for facilitating consular services to a large Indian diaspora across Canada. The events are especially important during the months of November and December, when many individuals require documents for pension-related matters and other essential services linked to India.
Despite the disruptions, the High Commission of India in Canada emphasized that it had successfully issued over 1,000 life certificates during a consular camp in Brampton, despite attempts to disrupt the event by anti-India elements.
Ongoing Concerns Over Safety
The situation in Canada has raised broader concerns over the safety of Indian nationals and the ability of Indian diplomatic missions to function without hindrance. A recent statement by the Indian High Commission referred to violent disruptions outside the consular camp organized in Brampton on November 3, involving anti-India elements. Despite the disturbances, the consulate managed to continue operations and provide critical services to over 1,000 Indian and Canadian nationals.
Indian authorities also pointed to similar disruptions in other cities, including Vancouver and Surrey, on November 2-3. The consulate assured that alternative arrangements would be made for those who could not receive services due to the cancellations, though the MEA noted that these changes might cause some inconvenience to the local community.
Future of Consular Camps
While the consular camps are a routine service offered by India’s diplomatic missions, the ongoing security challenges could affect future events. The Indian High Commission stated that if further disruptions made consular camps unfeasible, alternate arrangements would be put in place to provide the necessary services. However, they also acknowledged that such arrangements could be less convenient for applicants.
The situation has sparked concern among members of the Indian community in Canada, who rely on these camps for various official services. As tensions continue to rise, both countries will likely need to address these security concerns to ensure the safety of diplomatic operations and maintain strong ties within the Indian diaspora community in Canada.
Sources By Agencies
