India conveyed “deep concern” to the British government over security provided to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, after a Khalistani protester was able to get close to his car after an event in London, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, criticising the United Kingdom (U.K.) for “indifference” to the situation.
The concerns were conveyed during a meeting with the British Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, who was called into the MEA on Thursday and served a demarche, sources said. The fresh comments by the MEA on Friday indicate a further escalation in New Delhi’s response to the incident with the demand that the U.K. show its “sincerity” with “action against the culprits”.
There have been no arrests in the case thus far, although a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson condemned the incident and called it “unacceptable”. The incident outside the Chatham House appears to have overshadowed the other outcomes of Mr. Jaishankar’s week-long visit to the U.K. and Ireland, and meetings with his counterparts and leaders of both countries.
Meanwhile, New Delhi will be watching the security arrangements closely as Mr. Jaishankar returns to the U.K. from a visit to Dublin. The External Affairs Minister is to inaugurate a new Indian consulate in Manchester on Saturday. The Minister will also attend a reception at the Lancashire Country Cricket Club, before returning to India.
“We have conveyed our deep concern to the U.K. authorities about the breach of security arrangements by U.K.-based separatist and extremist elements during EAM’s visit,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing. “[The incident] brings out both the licence accorded to such forces, as well as indifference to their intimidation, threats, and other actions aimed at impeding our legitimate diplomatic activities in the U.K.”
The spokesperson said that the “sincerity” of the FCDO statement would be gauged by the “action taken against culprits on this and previous occasions.” The demand that the U.K. take firmer action against Khalistani separatist groups operating in the country has been a constant feature in bilateral consultations, and the ability of a protester to run in front of the External Affairs Minister’s car, shouting slogans and attempting to tear a cloth with the colours of the Indian flag is seen as the latest in a series of such incidents.
In March 2023, ties between the U.K. and India were hit after an incident at the Indian High Commission in London where Khalistani protesters climbed atop the building and tried to pull down the Tricolour. A few months later, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was blocked from visiting a gurudwara in Glasgow as a protester approached his car. The incidents caused a visible strain in ties between the two countries, and the government undertook “reciprocal” measures by withdrawing security barricades from the British High Commission in Delhi.
Lalit Modi case
Responding to developments in another thorny case between the two countries, the MEA spokesperson said that India is aware that Lalit Modi, the former chief of the IPL Cricket league, who is wanted for tax evasion and embezzlement cases in India, has acquired the citizenship of Vanuatu. Mr. Modi continues to live in London more than a decade after India has demanded his extradition. Mr. Jaiswal said that Mr. Modi has now made an application to surrender his Indian passport which will be examined.
“We continue to pursue the case against him as required under law,” he added. India has raised the issue of Mr. Modi and other declared fugitives, including Vijay Mallya, during Home office and Foreign office consultations with the U.K.
(With inputs from Sriram Lakshman in London)
Published - March 07, 2025 05:15 pm IST
