India has strongly condemned a security breach during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom, labeling the incident as a “misuse of democratic freedoms” by a small group of “separatists and extremists.”
The incident occurred outside Chatham House in London, where EAM Jaishankar was engaged in a discussion. A group of pro-Khalistan supporters gathered outside the venue, waving flags and chanting slogans. As Minister Jaishankar was departing, a protester broke through the police cordon, approached his vehicle, and tore down the Indian national flag before being apprehended by the police.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement expressing strong disapproval:
“We have seen the footage of a breach of security during the visit of EAM to the UK. We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists. We deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements. We expect the host government in such cases to fully live up to their diplomatic obligations.”
The MEA’s statement underscores India’s expectation that the UK government will take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety and dignity of visiting dignitaries.
This event has raised concerns about the security arrangements during high-profile visits and the potential implications for diplomatic relations between India and the UK. The Indian government has previously expressed concerns over activities by pro-Khalistan groups abroad and has urged host nations to take stringent actions against such elements.
EAM Jaishankar is on a six-day official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to 9, 2025. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other key officials to discuss various aspects of the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership, including trade, health, education, and defense cooperation.
The incident has sparked discussions on the balance between democratic freedoms and the need to prevent their misuse by extremist elements. It also highlights the challenges faced by governments in ensuring the security of foreign dignitaries while respecting the rights to protest and free expression.
As of now, there has been no official response from the UK government regarding the incident. The Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are in communication with their UK counterparts to address the concerns arising from this security lapse.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in international diplomacy and the importance of robust security protocols to safeguard diplomatic engagements.
For a visual account of the incident, you can watch the following news report:
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