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
Body Found In Southern Ontario Home Where Fire Killed Four Family Members
PORT COLBORNE, Ont. — Emergency crews investigating a deadly house fire that killed a mother, her two children and her grandmother in southern Ontario have found a body in the charred rubble.
Body Found In Southern Ontario Home Where Fire Killed Four Family Members
As Home Prices Soar, Some First-time Buyers Reconsider Home Ownership Dreams
The couple could have purchased a condo in the Toronto area, where they both work, but Morrison says they wanted more space to be able to engage in their hobbies and, eventually, start a family.
As Home Prices Soar, Some First-time Buyers Reconsider Home Ownership Dreams
B.C. Coroner Issues Overdose Death Alert
At least six people died using drugs in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, while five other people died throughout the rest of the province.
B.C. Coroner Issues Overdose Death Alert
NDP MLA Mohinder Saran Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegation
WINNIPEG — Manitoba New Democrats say a member of their caucus has been suspended from attending meetings following an allegation of verbal sexual harassment.
NDP MLA Mohinder Saran Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegation
Canadian Ski Resorts Bank Optimism Based On Early Snowfall And Cheap Currency
CALGARY — Early, deep snow and a cheap currency are boosting hopes for a blizzard of profits at ski destinations across Canada this year.
Canadian Ski Resorts Bank Optimism Based On Early Snowfall And Cheap Currency
More Canadian Women Join Top One Per Cent While Gap With Poor Grows: Report
MONTREAL — Statistics Canada says more women are joining the one-per-cent club but still accounted for less than one-quarter of the country's top earners in 2014.