The Indian government has condemned a security lapse during the visit of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar to the United Kingdom, terming the acts of a "small group of separatists and extremists."
The lapse took place when pro-Khalistan demonstrators organized a protest outside London's Chatham House, where Jaishankar was attending a discussion on Wednesday.
Holding flags and loudspeakers, the protesters raised slogans while the minister continued with his interaction inside.
"We have witnessed the video of a security lapse on EAM's visit to the UK. We condemn strongly the provocative actions of this small separatist and extremist group. The abuse of democratic freedoms by such forces is abhorrent. In such circumstances, we expect the host government to stand fully by its diplomatic commitments," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
Unfazed by the protests, Jaishankar continued to pursue his diplomatic agenda, holding meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other top officials.
On Tuesday, during a meeting with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Jaishankar discussed priority issues, such as mobility of talent and collaborative efforts to counter trafficking and extremism.
"Good discussion with Home Secretary @YvetteCooperMP in London. Discussed flow of talent, people-to-people contacts, and joint action against trafficking and extremism," Jaishankar posted on social media platform X.
This is not the first time Khalistani groups have organized protests in London. In January, pro-Khalistan extremists had protested outside the Indian High Commission.
In another recent episode, Khalistani activists assaulted a cinema theater in Harrow while trying to cancel the show of Emergency, which features BJP chief Kangana Ranaut. Speaking on this issue, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal again pressed India's protest over violent protestations and thuggery by "anti-India" groups in the UK.
"We routinely flag instances of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India actors with the UK Government. Freedom of speech and expression cannot be selectively applied, and those seeking to stifle it must be held accountable," Jaiswal claimed.
At his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, Jaishankar communicated "warm greetings" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and touched on key bilateral and global issues.
"We discussed how to take our bilateral and economic ties forward and deepen people-to-people contacts. PM Starmer also briefed on the UK's view of the Ukraine situation," Jaishankar said.
His trip to the UK, as part of a larger diplomatic tour of the UK and Ireland, also saw him discuss the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and its developments.
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