'We expect accountability': Jaishankar on Pro-Khalistan arson attack on Indian consulate in San Francisco

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pressed for accountability over the 2023 attack on India’s consulate in San Francisco during a meeting Wednesday (January 22) with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his first bilateral engagement under the Trump 2.0 administration. The talks took place on the sidelines of a Quad meeting.

Jaishankar described the incident as a “very serious matter” and called for those responsible to be held to account.

“The arson attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very, very serious matter, and it is something [for which] we expect accountability,” Jaishankar said. “We would like to see that people who did it are held responsible.”

#WATCH | Washington DC | EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...The attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very serious matter and it is something for which we expect accountability. We would like to see that people who did it are held responsible." pic.twitter.com/qmsV3b7Nu4

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2025

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The attack, which occurred in July 2023, was an apparent act of vandalism and arson linked to pro-Khalistan extremists. It followed the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, who was one of India’s most-wanted terrorists. Nijjar, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada in June 2024.

Shortly after Nijjar’s killing, a video was circulated on social media showing the arson at the San Francisco consulate. The video, emblazoned with the words “violence begets violence,” included news clips referencing Nijjar’s death.

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At the time, Jaishankar urged countries, including the US, Canada, the U.K., and Australia, to prevent Khalistani activities. “Their radical, extremist thinking is neither good for us nor for them nor our relations,” he said.

The US condemned the attack, and Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti recently noted that the FBI had prioritised the investigation. However, more than 1.5 years later, little information has emerged about the perpetrators or any actions taken against them.

The meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio underscores the importance of addressing such incidents in bilateral relations as India continues to push for accountability.

With inputs from agencies