Pro-Khalistan protestors staged a demonstration outside Chatham House in London on Wednesday (UK local time), where India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar was participating in a key discussion. The demonstrators gathered outside the venue waving flags and chanting slogans, using loudspeakers to amplify their protests.
EAM Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom includes high-level talks with UK leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Earlier, on Tuesday, Jaishankar also met with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the flow of talent, people-to-people exchanges, and collaborative efforts to address issues like trafficking and extremism.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared on social media platform X, “A good meeting with Home Secretary @YvetteCooperMP today in London. We discussed the flow of talent, people-to-people exchanges, and joint efforts in tackling trafficking and extremism.”
This is not the first time pro-Khalistan elements have staged demonstrations in the UK. In January, a group of Khalistani extremists gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, and earlier, they disrupted a screening of the Kangana Ranaut starrer film “Emergency” in Harrow, London, attempting to halt the show.
Responding to these disruptions, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We consistently raise concerns with the UK Government regarding incidents of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India elements. Freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively, and those obstructing it must be held accountable.”
He added that India expects the UK authorities to take strict action against those responsible and that the Indian High Commission in London remains in constant touch with the Indian community to ensure their safety and welfare.
In 2023, the Indian High Commission in London was subjected to a violent attack by Khalistani supporters. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), these attacks were reportedly in retaliation to the crackdown by Punjab police on Amritpal Singh, the Chief of Waris Punjab De, with the intent to pressure Indian authorities and influence actions against the outfit and its leader.
As EAM Jaishankar continues his official visit to the UK and Ireland from March 4 to 9, his engagements focus on strengthening bilateral ties, with discussions spanning defence, trade, education, and people-to-people connections.
