Which of the following is NOT a statutory function of an embassy?

The function that is NOT a statutory function of an embassy is espionage. An embassy is a diplomatic mission of a country in another country. It serves as a channel of communication between the two nations and performs various functions related to diplomatic relations. Issuance of visas is a statutory function of an embassy, which involves granting permission to foreign nationals to enter a country for various purposes like tourism, work, or study. Collection of information is also a statutory function of an embassy, which involves gathering and analyzing information about the political, economic, and social conditions of the host country and reporting back to their home country. The welfare of her citizens is another statutory function of an embassy, which involves assisting and protecting their own country's citizens who are living or traveling abroad. However, espionage, which involves the clandestine collection of sensitive information about a foreign country, is not a statutory function of an embassy. Espionage is illegal and a violation of international law. Embassies are expected to operate within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which sets out the rights and obligations of diplomats and their host countries.