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
Agency Calls For Public Hearing Into Alleged Misconduct By B.C. Transit Office
VICTORIA — British Columbia's police-complaint commissioner has determined that a public hearing is needed into allegations of professional misconduct by a Transit Police officer.
Agency Calls For Public Hearing Into Alleged Misconduct By B.C. Transit Office
Barinder Singh Dhaliwal Arrested And Charged For Firearm Offences In Abbotsford
33-year-old was charged Tuesday following a traffic stop and brief pursuit in the Fraser Valley city.
Barinder Singh Dhaliwal Arrested And Charged For Firearm Offences In Abbotsford
Evergreen Extension Officially Open To The Public
Construction of the Evergreen extension, its stations and public plazas created an estimated 8,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction. The project is now complete and trains are ready to start taking passengers at noon today.
Evergreen Extension Officially Open To The Public
Surrey's High Risk Drivers To Be Targeted In Project Swoop
The campaign will continue throughout the week at multiple locations in Surrey.
Surrey's High Risk Drivers To Be Targeted In Project Swoop
Rescuers In Northwestern B.C. Search Remote Highway For Missing Oregon Man
A news release from the RCMP says family members report Tony Adevai was driving from Oregon to his home in Alaska when he disappeared.
Rescuers In Northwestern B.C. Search Remote Highway For Missing Oregon Man
'You Lose Your Whole Family In An Instant:' Calgary Mom Charged In Son's Death Tells Cop
CALGARY — A Calgary woman charged in the death of her son says she intended to take him to the hospital once his health took a turn for the worse.