India Cancels Consular Camp In Toronto Over ‘Inadequate Security’

Days after the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton, the Minister of External Affairs announced the cancellation of consular camps in Toronto over security issues.

Consular camps are routine operations organized by the Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, including the High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulates in Vancouver and Toronto, to assist Indian nationals with various services, such as life certificates.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal today said, “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.”

“That was the reason these consular camps had to be cancelled. As you know, we have a large diaspora in Canada. Many of these people, especially around November and December, need several documents for the continuation of their pensions and other activities here in India. So, this consular camp we do is helpful to the community, to both people of Indian nationality and people of Indian origin who may now be nationals of other countries,” Mr Jaiswal said.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto earlier said, “In view of the security agencies conveying their inability to provide minimum security protection to the community camp organizers, the Consulate has decided to cancel some of the scheduled consular camps.”