NEW DELHI: India has asserted that Britain should ensure the security of its diplomatic missions in the island nation and act against pro-Khalistani supporters responsible for vandalism at the High Commission in London.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Britain’s visiting Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Lord Tariq Ahmad, to ensure the safety and security of India’s diplomatic missions in his country and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms.
Jaishankar later took to social media to share the issues he raised during the meeting with Lord Ahmad.
Home Ministry meet: “Met with UK MOS Lord @ tariqahmadbt today in New Delhi. Discussed a broad range of issues, from FTA and South Asia to Indo-Pacific and G20. Underlined the obligation to ensure security of our diplomatic missions and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms,” the External Affairs Minister tweeted on May 29.
According to a NDTV report, in a separate meeting, the Union Home Ministry asked Lord Ahmad to take action against “Pro-Khalistani supporters” responsible for vandalisation at the Indian High Commission in March.
The British Foreign Office Minister was in India between May 27-31 to accelerate science and technology ties.
Strong friendship: “UK and India share a strong friendship and common values. Had positive discussions with senior officials in Delhi around keeping UK India collaboration on science and technology, trade, justice and G 20,” Lord Ahmad tweeted after meeting G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kanth, Chief Coordinator Harsh Singhla, and Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.
On March 19, pro-Khalistan protesters laid a siege at the High Commission in London.
They broke windows and even forcibly removed the Indian flag. It led to an outrage in India and the foreign ministry issued a demarche accusing the UK of not providing adequate security at the mission.
In New Delhi, the police withdrew security barricades placed outside the British High Commission.
The National Investigation Agency subsequently began a probe into the matter after the Union Home Ministry in April asked it to investigate.
Relations were slowly restored after the London metropolitan police stepped up its security around the mission. On May 10, UK High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis expressed regret while addressing an event in New Delhi.
The violence at the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan groups in March this year was “absolutely not OK”, he said, adding that he would have been “equally angry” had it happened at one of his Missions.
