Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 6: India strongly condemned the security breach orchestrated by pro-Khalistani supporters during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to the United Kingdom. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Jaishankar was engaged in talks at Chatham House in London, and pro-Khalistani demonstrators staged a protest, waving flags and chanting slogans.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its disapproval, stating that India condemns the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements. The protest video quickly gained traction on social media, prompting the Indian government to issue a formal response.
On the previous day, Jaishankar had met with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss critical matters such as talent flow and collaborative efforts to counter human trafficking and extremism. Over the course of his visit, Jaishankar also engaged in fruitful discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House. “We discussed a wide range of bilateral ties, focusing on strategic coordination, political cooperation, trade negotiations, education, technology, mobility, and people-to-people exchanges,” Jaishankar said, adding that both nations would soon take steps to further strengthen their relationship.
Jaishankar also met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where regional and global issues, including the ongoing Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Bangladesh, and the Commonwealth, were on the agenda. The discussions included ways to advance economic cooperation and enhance people-to-people connections. "PM Starmer shared the UK's perspective on the Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar noted.
On social media, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of India-UK relations, emphasizing that the partnership contributes to global stability and prosperity, especially in an uncertain world.
Pro-Khalistani demonstrations have been a recurring issue in London, with similar incidents in the past. For instance, in January, Khalistani extremists disrupted a cinema screening of the film Emergency in Harrow. India has consistently raised concerns with the UK government about such violent protests and intimidation tactics employed by anti-India groups.
Jaishankar's UK visit began on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.