India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday said that extremists and separatists should not be given any space in foreign lands.
He made the statement in a response to a question while addressing the media about the defacement of a Hindu temple in Newark city in California.
“I have seen it. Extremists, separatists and such [anti-Indian] forces should not be given space in foreign lands. Our Consulate there complained to the government and the police and an inquiry is underway,” Jaishankar stated.
The foreign minister also mentioned providing consular assistance to Nikhil Gupta who has been detained in the Czech Republic on charges of conspiracy to kill a Sikh separatist in the US.
“He [Gupta] needed consular access, our embassy provided that. He has been provided consular access thrice,” Jaishankar told the media.
US authorities have charged Gupta with allegedly working with the Indian government to kill US-based Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
After the charges were framed against Gupta, the Indian government formed an investigation committee to probe allegations levelled against him.
The Hindu-American Foundation had earlier shared photos of the walls of the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha temple, which were defaced with anti-Indian graffiti.
The culprits had also scrawled slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called the pro-Khalistan activist Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale a “martyr”.
The Indian consulate in San Francisco said in a tweet that it has “pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against vandals by the US authorities” following the incident.