Pro-Khalistan protests disrupt Jaishankar’s UK trip

During a recent visit to the United Kingdom by India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, a security breach occurred, drawing strong condemnation from the Indian government.

The incident involved a demonstration by pro-Khalistan protesters outside Chatham House in London, where Minister Jaishankar was attending a discussion.

The demonstrators, brandishing flags and using loudspeakers, chanted slogans while the minister conducted talks inside.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded with a firm statement, criticizing the actions of what it described as "a small group of separatists and extremists."

The ministry denounced the exploitation of democratic freedoms and emphasized expectations that the UK government would fulfill its diplomatic obligations in such situations.

Despite the disruptions, Minister Jaishankar continued with his scheduled activities, which included meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other prominent leaders.

He also engaged in discussions with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, focusing on the flow of talent, and collaborative initiatives to address trafficking and extremism. Jaishankar shared details of these productive discussions on social media platform X.

The pro-Khalistan demonstrations in London are not unprecedented; a similar protest occurred in January outside the Indian High Commission.

Another incident saw Khalistani groups attempt to interrupt a film screening in Harrow, London.

Addressing these events, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's concerns about the protests and the intimidation tactics by what he called "anti-India" elements in the UK. He urged accountability for those obstructing freedom of speech.

In his conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed various bilateral and global issues, including economic cooperation and perspectives on the Ukraine conflict.

The visit also aimed to advance discussions on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as part of Jaishankar's broader diplomatic tour, which included stops in the UK and Ireland.