'Pledge To Defend Safety Of These Facilities': US Condemns Attack On Indian Consulate In San Francisco

The US reaction comes after the India lodged a strong protest with the US Charge d'Affaires in Delhi over the incident.

The United States condemned the incident of vandalism at the Indian consulate general in San Francisco by some pro-Khalistan elements during a protest. "We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them," the US State Department spokesperson told ANI.

The US reaction comes after the India lodged a strong protest with the US Charge d'Affaires in Delhi over the incident. The Foreign Ministry said the US government was asked to take appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

"In a meeting with the US Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi, India conveyed its strong protest at the vandalisation of the property of the Consulate General of India, San Francisco," the MEA said in a statement.

"The US 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," it said.

READ | After London, Khalistani Sympathisers Vandalize Indian Consulate In US' San Francisco

On Sunday, a group of Khalistan supporters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Thereafter, a group of protesters entered the consulate premises and started attacking the door and windows with iron rods, PTI reported.

The incident drew widespread condemnation from the Indian-American community.

"We are also appalled by the complete law and order failure in both in London as well as in SFO where a few radicalised separatists attacked India's diplomatic missions," Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) said.

Apart from the US, Khalistan supporters gathered outside Australian Parliament in Canberra to protest against police crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.

The development comes a day after the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London was pulled down during a protest by pro-Khalistan activists.

On Monday, India summoned the senior-most British diplomat in Delhi and demanded an explanation over complete "absence of security" at the mission.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said India has asked the UK to quickly arrest and prosecute those involved in the incident.