India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned a security breach during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s ongoing visit to the UK this week.
Dr Jaishankar was exiting Chatham House in London after an incisive in-conversation session on India’s role in the world when his convoy was targeted by a man gathered with a small group of protesters chanting anti-India and separatist slogans.
Diaspora groups took to social media to express their shock and anger over yet another security breach involving pro-Khalistan extremists, behind a string of anti-India attacks over recent years including repeatedly targeting the High Commission of India in London and Indian diplomats around the UK.
Community organisation INSIGHT UK said: “India has in the past specifically conveyed its concerns on the misuse of UK's asylum status by the pro-Khalistan elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India. Now even foreign dignitaries are not safe in UK.
“Khalistani extremism is known for radicalisation and violence and its presence on UK soil is a serious and escalating threat to national security.”
The Friends of India Society International (FISI) UK stated: “The British Indian diaspora voiced deep concern and criticised UK authorities for failing to prevent the attack on Indian diplomats — a violation of the Vienna Convention, which obligates host nations to protect diplomats and diplomatic missions.”
The MEA, meanwhile, called on the UK government to take appropriate steps in keeping with its diplomatic obligations.
Its statement read: "We have seen the footage of a breach of security during the visit of EAM to the UK. We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists.
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“We deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements. We expect the host government in such cases to fully live up to their diplomatic obligations.”
A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House yesterday during the External Affairs Minister’s visit to the UK. While the UK upholds the right to peaceful protest, any attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.
"The Metropolitan Police acted swiftly to address the situation, and we remain fully committed to ensuring the security of all our diplomatic visitors, in line with our international obligations.”
The incident comes just hours after Dr Jaishankar met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in London. The topics covered a broad range of mutual concerns, including tackling extremism.
“We discussed the flow of talent, people to people exchanges, and joint efforts in tackling trafficking and extremism,” said Dr Jaishankar, following his meeting with Cooper.
India has consistently raised concerns over misuse of the right to peaceful demonstration by extremist elements, resorting to increasingly violent activities in the country. An independent faith review in the UK had also cautioned the government over a small but extremely vocal group “hijacking” the Sikh faith to push a subversive pro-Khalistan agenda in the country.
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