The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised the UK’s handling of the situation, highlighting a pattern of indifference towards separatist and extremist elements that seek to disrupt India’s diplomatic engagements.
India has strongly conveyed its concerns to the United Kingdom over a security breach during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to London, as Khalistani extremists attempted to block his convoy outside Chatham House. The incident, which took place late Wednesday, has drawn widespread condemnation in India and beyond.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised the UK’s handling of the situation, highlighting a pattern of indifference towards separatist and extremist elements that seek to disrupt India’s diplomatic engagements. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had taken note of the UK Foreign Office’s statement regretting the breach but stressed that New Delhi would judge its sincerity based on concrete action against those responsible.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events were “completely unacceptable.” However, the latest incident follows a troubling pattern of anti-India activities by Khalistani groups in Britain.
In March 2023, India had lodged a strong protest after Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian High Commission in London. At the time, New Delhi had demanded an explanation for the lack of British security, which allowed the attack to take place.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal condemned the UK’s handling of Khalistani extremism, accusing British authorities of offering undue space to such elements under the guise of freedom of speech. He argued that the UK’s inaction serves political and electoral considerations, allowing these groups to operate with impunity.
Videos of the latest incident have surfaced on social media, showing a protester attempting to approach Jaishankar’s vehicle as he was leaving the venue. The demonstration has been widely criticised, with analysts questioning its motives, given the stability in Punjab and harmony among Indian-origin communities in the UK.
Jaishankar has repeatedly warned against the misuse of free speech protections in countries like the UK, Canada, and the US, asserting that the right to free expression should not extend to supporting separatism and violence in another country.
India’s response signals growing frustration over what it sees as a permissive environment for extremist activities in the UK. While the British government has expressed regret, India is now looking for concrete steps to curb such incidents in the future.
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