Indian Minister Jaishankar in security talks with UK counterpart

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed regional and global issues with his UK counterpart, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference in Jakarta this week.

Dr Jaishankar further discussed the concerns related to the security of Indian diplomats. This comes after a group of pro-Khalistan protesters vandalised the Indian High Commission in London, taking down the Indian flag and replacing it with a Khalistani flag on March 19. Moreover, recently emerged posters for a pro-Khalistani rally in London on July 8 contained threats to Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India, Birmingham.

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable.

After meeting with Cleverly, Jaishankar said that the two had a broad ranging discussion.

Describing ASEAN as a crucial pillar of India's Act East Policy, Jaishankar said it plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific.

Delivering his remarks at the opening session of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference, Jaishankar noted: "ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India's Act East policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. A strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific."

(ANI)