Washington: Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Michael Waltz (FL-06), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, recently criticised arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco by pro-Khalistan elements.

“As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," read the statement.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence," he said.

"Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offense and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," read the statement.

Earlier, on July 2, around 1.40 am (local time), a group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire, sources told ANI.

A video of the incident was verified by sources who told ANI the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department. The Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities were notified and began investigating the incident.