India Expresses Concern over UK Government’s Inaction against Pro-Khalistani Elements
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 7: Worried over continued inaction of the British government against the pro-Khalistani elements in that country, India on Friday expressed concerns over the breach of security of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in London by Khalistani protestors and said the incident highlighted the “licence accorded to such forces” in the United Kingdom.
Speaking out strongly against the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that it reflected the “indifference in the UK” to the intimidation and threats by Khalistani extremist forces. Taking a firm view on the statement issued by the UK Foreign Office on the matter, the MEA said the country’s sincerity would depend on the action taken by the nation against those involved in the security breach.
“We have conveyed our deep concern to the UK authorities about the breach of security arrangements by UK-based separatist and extremist elements during EAM’s visit. There is a larger context to the incident. It brings out both the licence accorded to such forces, as well as indifference to their intimidation, threats, and other actions aimed at impeding our legitimate diplomatic activities in the UK,” Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson, said at a weekly press briefing on Friday.
“While we have noted the statement issued by the UK Foreign Office on the matter, our view of its sincerity would depend on the action taken against culprits on this and previous occasions,” he added.
Reiterating India’s stand that it expected action, Mr Jaiswal added, “While we have noted the statement by the UK Foreign Office on the matter, our view of its sincerity will depend on the actions taken against the culprits on this and previous occasions.”
A pro-Khalistani protester had attempted to break barricades while others shouted anti-India slogans when Mr Jaishankar was leaving Chatham House, home to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, after an interactive session on Wednesday. Making its displeasure known, the Ministry of External Affairs had issued a statement on Thursday as well in which it said it expected the host government to live up to its diplomatic obligations in such cases and slammed the “misuse of democratic freedoms” by Khalistani elements.
“We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists. 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,” Mr Jaiswal had said. Condemning the incident, the British foreign ministry had only said attempts to disrupt public events were unacceptable.
In another breach in March 2023, Khalistani extremists had taken down the Tricolour at the Indian High Commission in London during a protest. India had demanded an explanation for the “absence of security” at the high commission and said the UK government’s “indifference” to Indian diplomats and personnel was unacceptable.
The EAM is on a 6-day visit to the UK and Ireland, during which he participated in a Q&A session at Chatham House in London. The Khalistani protestors staged a protest outside the venue.
As Jaishankar walked out of the venue to enter his car, a man was seen approaching the vehicle and tearing India’s national flag — all this in the presence of the police officials who appeared unresponsive to the intimidating act. In response, India summoned UK Chargé D’ Affaires Christina Scott on Thursday in Delhi.
The EAM is on an official visit to the UK and Ireland from March 4 to 9, aimed at further strengthening India’s diplomatic ties with them,
