EAM Jaishankar says vandalism of Hindu temples deeply concerning

During the 15th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep concern over the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple in Canada. This incident occurred shortly after Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in 2023. The tension between Canada and India has escalated, leading to increased scrutiny of Indian diplomats in Canada. In Canberra, two Hindu temples were also vandalized, causing distress among the Indian community. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the importance of peaceful expression of views and condemned violence and vandalism. Australia has expressed its concerns to India regarding Canada’s allegations of targeting Sikh separatists, while India has criticized Canada for making unsubstantiated claims.