Provocative, says India as Khalistani supporter targets EAM’s convoy

A pro-Khalistani protester tried to breach the security perimeter outside Chatham House in London as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar left the think-tank. The incident drew sharp criticism from India, which asked the UK to “meet its diplomatic obligation” of ensuring the safety of visiting foreign leaders.

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A small group of protesters, shouting pro-Khalistan slogans and waving separatist flags, had been barricaded by the police outside the venue on Wednesday night when one of them ran past the barricade and tried to block the path of the minister's car while pulling at an Indian flag. The protester was restrained and swiftly taken aside by Metropolitan Police officers.

The UK too strongly condemned the security breach, saying such attempts to “intimidate, threaten or disrupt public events were completely unacceptable”.

K-resolution if Pak returns PoK: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said complete resolution of the Kashmir dispute was possible only if Pakistan vacated PoK. He was responding to a query whether India could take the US help to resolve the issue.

“We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House. The Metropolitan Police acted swiftly to address the situation and we remain fully committed to ensuring the security of all our diplomatic visitors, in line with our international obligations,” a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.

Hours after the breach, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen footage of the security breach. We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists. We deplore the misuse of democratic freedom by such elements. We also expect the host government to fully live up to its diplomatic obligations.”

Says no move to replace dollar

Minister Jaishankar on Thursday reiterated India’s stand on retaining US dollar for international trade, saying, “Our ties with the US are at their best… I don’t think there’s any policy on our part to replace the dollar.”

The London Metropolitan Police was quoted by news agency PTI as saying that when the minister left the event, a protester ran in front of his stationary car waving a flag. “He was quickly intercepted by officers and moved out of the way. He did not get close to the minister, who was able to leave the area without further incident. There were no arrests,” said a Metropolitan Police officer.

BJP national spokesperson RP Singh condemned the protesters saying they had been doing such things only to draw attention. “There are about 100-150 people across London who do such things. They neither have a base nor any supporters here in India."

On Tuesday, Jaishankar had met the UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and raised the need to tackle "trafficking and extremism". "A good meeting with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in London. We discussed the flow of talent, people-to-people exchanges and joint efforts in tackling trafficking and extremism," Jaishankar posted on X.

In January, a group of pro-Khalistani extremists had gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to stage a protest. They had earlier stormed a cinema in the London town of Harrow and attempted to stop the screening of Kangana Ranaut-starrer ‘Emergency’.