TORONTO — Amazon has apologized to India's foreign minister for selling doormats depicting the Indian flag on the online shopping giant's Canadian website.
The head of the retailer in India sent the apology to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, according to a tweet by a ministry spokesperson.
The statement, which was posted on Twitter under the verified account of spokesperson Vikas Swarup, said Amazon is committed to respecting the laws and customs in India.
If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
In India, insulting the national flag is punishable with fines and imprisonment.
Amit Agarwal, vice-president and country manager of Amazon India, said in a statement the company "regrets" the sale of the offending items, noting that they were offered by a third-party seller in Canada.
Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
"At no time did we intend or mean to offend Indian sentiments," Agarwal said.
Minister Swaraj had lashed out on Tuesday at Amazon on Twitter, threatening to deny Indian visas to any Amazon employees if the company did not apologize and "withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately."
"If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant an Indian visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the visas issued earlier," Swaraj tweeted.
Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
"At not time did we intend or mean to offend Indian sentiments," it said.
The Canadian third-party seller — which also sells mats with other national flags, including the U.S., U.K. and Canada — removed the Indian-themed product, following Swaraj's Twitter threat.
Swaraj had also ordered the embassy in Canada to take up the matter with Amazon "at the highest level."
Arun Kumar Sahu, acting High Commissioner of India to Canada, said the situation has now been resolved.
When asked if the embassy will pursue any further action, Sahu said from Ottawa there wouldn't be anything to follow. "At least I don't have any instructions on this," he added.
The doormats had outraged many people among the Indian diaspora in Canada, who posted pictures of them on social media and urged the foreign minister to formally object.
Last year, there were protests after the online marketplace offered doormats depicting Hindu gods.
A spokesperson for Amazon Canada declined to provide any additional comment.
MORE National ARTICLES
Calgary Mayor Nenshi, Conservative MP Rempel in Twitter spat over math remark
It began on Sunday when Rempel and Nenshi sparred on Twitter over the impact of a property tax increase on suburban business owners.
Calgary Mayor Nenshi, Conservative MP Rempel in Twitter spat over math remark
Family Hopes For Best After Alberta Teen's Neck Injured In Trampoline Tumble
SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — An teenager is recovering from surgery after suffering a severe neck injury while attending a friend's birthday party at an Edmonton-area trampoline park.
Family Hopes For Best After Alberta Teen's Neck Injured In Trampoline Tumble
Justin Trudeau Calls Aga Khan A Friend, Welcomes Ethics Commissioner's Questions
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's looking forward to answering questions from the federal ethics commissioner about his Christmas vacation to a Caribbean island owned by the Aga Khan.
Justin Trudeau Calls Aga Khan A Friend, Welcomes Ethics Commissioner's Questions
Gunshots Call In Richmond B.C. Leads Police To Body In Vehicle
Officers were called to the scene (on Ash St.) just before 9:30 p.m. and found a man's body inside a Jeep as they were securing the scene.
Gunshots Call In Richmond B.C. Leads Police To Body In Vehicle
Increase Coming For Homeowner Grants In B.C.
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — British Columbia's finance minister says the threshold to claim homeowner grants will be raised to help the tax burden on those whose property values have soared.
Increase Coming For Homeowner Grants In B.C.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold: Edmonton Police Warn Of Precious Metal Scam
EDMONTON — Police in Edmonton are warning the public of an offer that is definitely not worth its weight in gold.