New Delhi has strongly condemned the actions of pro-Khalistan activists in the UK capital
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was heckled by a group of pro-Khalistan activists who breached security as the minister stepped out of London’s Chatham House during a visit to the UK on Wednesday. New Delhi has condemned the incident, calling out the UK government for providing space to radical movements.
As the Indian minister departed Chatham House in London on Wednesday evening, an individual rushed toward his vehicle and tore off the Indian national flag in front of police officers. The perpetrator was briefly detained by police.
Demonstrators carrying Khalistan flags and loudspeakers were also seen chanting pro-Khalistan slogans outside Chatham House while Jaishankar was delivering a speech.
India’s foreign minister spokesperson, commenting on the footage circulating online, said New Delhi “deplores 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 statement noted. Jaishankar is currently on a six-day visit to the UK and Ireland.
New Delhi has repeatedly raised the issue of the activities of Khalistan supporters in the UK, Canada, and US with the countries’ respective governments. Separatists have staged protests, shouted anti-India slogans, and attacked diplomatic missions and Hindu temples in these countries. All three nations have large Sikh communities.
🚨 : Khalistani goons attempt to heckle India’s External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar in London while he was leaving in a car. A man can be seen trying to run towards him, tearing the Indian national flag in front of cops. Police seem helpless, as if ordered to not act. pic.twitter.com/zSYrqDgBRx
#WATCH | London, UK | Pro-Khalistan supporters staged a protest outside the venue where EAM Dr S Jaishankar participated in a discussion held by Chatham House pic.twitter.com/ISVMZa3DdT
In one recent incident of violence associated with the movement, a mob of pro-Khalistan supporters armed with sticks was seen attacking visitors at a camp outside a temple in Toronto.
New Delhi has banned pro-Khalistan organizations and designated the leaders of the movement, including US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice, as terrorists. It has also demanded the extradition of some Khalistan leaders, including from the UK. In most cases, however, these requests have not been fulfilled.
In 2021, the Westminster Magistrates’ Court turned down India’s request to extradite an alleged member of the banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force, Kuldeep Singh, also known as Keepa Singh, who is wanted in India on charges of plotting assassinations in Punjab, including that of former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal.
In December, the latter survived another assassination attempt after a gunman opened fire outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The temple is a holy shrine for the Sikh community and the site of tragic events in the 1980s, when hundreds were killed during an Indian government operation.
During his London visit, Jaishankar met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other senior leaders. Following his meeting with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on Tuesday, the Indian foreign minister stated they had discussed “joint efforts to counter trafficking and extremism.”
