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
B.C. Enacts Ministerial Order To Create Overdose Prevention Sites
Terry Lake says the order gives provincial emergency health services and regional health authorities the ability to provide overdose prevention treatment as necessary on an emergency basis.
B.C. Enacts Ministerial Order To Create Overdose Prevention Sites
Delta Man, 53, Dead After Bar Fight In South Delta
On December 11, 2016 at approximately 0130 hrs., Delta Police responded to a report of a fight at the rear of Rose and Crown Pub in the 1200 blk 56th Street in South Delta.
Delta Man, 53, Dead After Bar Fight In South Delta
Cheers! 'Slightly Intoxicated' Chilliwack Birthday Boy Given $288 Fine For Dangerous SkyTrain Ride
Transit Police in Metro Vancouver say a young man's "recklessness" on his 20th birthday led to a gift of fines totalling nearly $300.
Cheers! 'Slightly Intoxicated' Chilliwack Birthday Boy Given $288 Fine For Dangerous SkyTrain Ride
Nova Scotia Grandmother Hosts Christmas Dinner For Those Alone During The Holidays
BLOCKHOUSE, N.S. — A grandmother in Nova Scotia has invited nine strangers to her dinner table this Christmas for a festive get together for those who can't spend the holidays with their families.
Nova Scotia Grandmother Hosts Christmas Dinner For Those Alone During The Holidays
Hundreds Left Homeless After Massive Langley Condo Fire
Rory Thompson, fire chief for the City of Langley, said crews received a call about a fire on a fourth floor balcony around 10 a.m. and about 55 firefighters were still attacking the flames several hours later.
Hundreds Left Homeless After Massive Langley Condo Fire
Surrey Mountie Sues, Alleges PTSD From Exposure To Child Porn In Sex Offences Unit
Const. Michael Wardrope says he was exposed to disturbing videos, photographs, interviews and interrogations as a member of the child abuse and sexual offence unit in Surrey, B.C.