NEW DELHI – India has strongly condemned a security lapse during Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to London, where a protester managed to breach police barriers, obstruct his vehicle, and tear an Indian flag before being swiftly detained.
The Indian foreign ministry criticized the incident, calling the protesters a “small group of separatists and extremists,” and urged the British government to uphold its diplomatic responsibilities.
Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators waving Khalistan flags and chanting slogans outside Chatham House, where Jaishankar was delivering a speech. As he was leaving the venue, one protester broke past the police cordon but was immediately restrained by law enforcement. Jaishankar is currently on a six-day visit to the UK and Ireland, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties.
“We deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements and expect the host government to fully honor its diplomatic obligations in such situations,” Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated. The UK Foreign Office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Khalistan movement, which seeks a separate Sikh homeland within India, remains a sensitive issue for the Indian government, which considers it a security threat. Tensions surrounding the movement have also strained India’s diplomatic relations with Canada.
India had previously urged Britain to increase surveillance of Khalistani supporters after protesters removed the Indian flag from its diplomatic mission in London in April 2023. This latest security breach underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding the movement and its impact on India’s foreign relations.