India Expresses Serious Concern to UK Over Security Breach During EAM Jaishankar's Visit

New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) India expressed its significant concern to the UK authorities regarding a security breach involving UK-based separatist and extremist factions during the current visit of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.

Khalistani extremists operating in Britain attempted to obstruct EAM Jaishankar's convoy late Wednesday evening outside Chatham House in London. This act has drawn widespread condemnation, both within India and globally.

"We have communicated our serious concerns to the UK authorities regarding the security breach caused by separatist and extremist factions during the EAM's visit. This incident highlights a broader issue, revealing both the latitude given to such groups and a troubling indifference towards their intimidation tactics, threats, and actions aimed at disrupting our legitimate diplomatic engagements in the UK. While we acknowledge the UK Foreign Office's statement on this incident, our assessment of its genuineness will rely on the actions taken against those responsible for this and prior instances," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expressed regret over the incident on Thursday, emphasizing that any attempts to "intimidate, threaten, or disrupt" public events are "absolutely unacceptable".

This is not the first occurrence of anti-India and radical factions organizing protests, attacks, and arson in London.

In March 2023, New Delhi lodged a formal protest after Khalistani elements caused chaos at the Indian High Commission in London. The MEA demanded an explanation from British authorities regarding the glaring absence of security that permitted Khalistani activists to breach the High Commission's premises.

"The leniency shown towards British Khalistani extremists for their anti-Indian activities is intolerable. The UK continues to disregard our numerous protests regarding the leeway granted to such factions under the pretext of the right to peaceful protest," expressed former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal on X on Thursday.

Footage from the incident showing Khalistani activists demonstrating outside Chatham House in London, where the EAM was attending an event Wednesday night, circulated widely on social media. One clip depicted a Sikh protester rushing towards the EAM's vehicle as he departed the venue after the think tank event.

"What are they protesting against? There is tranquility in Punjab that they wish to disrupt, along with harmony among Indian-origin communities in the UK. Are they opposing any restriction on their right to promote violence, terrorism, and separatism in Punjab, as well as their right to disrespect the Indian flag and insult a visiting Indian leader?" questioned Sibal.

"The UK seems to maintain these factions as a means of leverage against India, aside from the blatant electoral motivations of their political class relying on the votes of minorities in their respective districts," added Sibal, a seasoned diplomat who has served as the Indian Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France, and Russia.

EAM Jaishankar has frequently criticized Khalistani extremists who exploit laws of freedom in various countries, including Canada, the UK, and the United States.

"Freedom of speech cannot equate to advocating violence; it cannot be a license to support separatism and terrorism in a foreign nation," the EAM has affirmed on numerous occasions.