MEA summons high UK diplomat after Khalistani extremist breaches Jaishankar’s safety in London

Indian Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (March 6) summoned UK Chargé D’ Affaires Christina Scott after S Jaishankar’s safety was breached by a Khalistani extremist in London earlier within the day. The Indian international minister was leaving in a automotive after attending an occasion on the Chatham Home suppose tank when his safety was endangered by the extremist.

The MEA summon follows a press release of condemnation by the UK authorities over Jaishankar’s safety breach.

Khalistani components tried to assault and insult @DrSJaishankar by desecrating the Indian flag on British soil. It is a severe concern and raises questions on safety lapses in London. #London #Khalistani @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @metpoliceuk @HCI_London pic.twitter.com/NUqR5d6Z7r

— Gayatri 🇬🇧🇮🇳(BharatKiBeti) (@changu311) March 5, 2025

Whereas responding to the incident, a spokesperson for the UK’s International, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO) mentioned, “We strongly condemn the incident that came about exterior the Chatham Home yesterday throughout the Exterior Affairs Minister’s go to to the UK. Whereas the UK upholds the best to peaceable protest, any makes an attempt to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public occasions are fully unacceptable. The Metropolitan Police acted swiftly to handle the scenario, and we stay absolutely dedicated to making sure the safety of all our diplomatic guests, consistent with our worldwide obligations.”

Earlier,
the Indian authorities additionally condemned the incident, calling it “unacceptable” and “misuse of democratic freedoms by separatists”.

“We’ve got seen the footage of a breach of safety throughout the go to of EAM to the UK. We condemn the provocative actions of this small group of separatists and extremists. We deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms by such components. We count on the host authorities in such instances to completely dwell as much as their diplomatic obligations,” mentioned a spokesperson of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs.

Professional-Khalistan supporters staged a protest exterior the venue the place Jaishankar was invited, throughout which a person was seen approaching the international affairs minister’s automobile and tearing India’s nationwide flag. Regardless of their heavy presence, London cops appeared unresponsive to the act of vandalism.

Throughout his go to, the EAM is ready to carry talks with British International Secretary David Lammy. Given the Thursday incident, the difficulty of extremism and particularly the rise of the pro-Khalistani motion within the UK and different nations are anticipated to be mentioned.

In recent times, the UK has seen a major rise within the Khalistani motion, resulting in a number of cases of vandalism concentrating on Hindu temples and Indian establishments. In the meantime, Jaishankar’s go to centered on strengthening the India-UK complete strategic partnership, together with commerce, well being, training, cultural ties, and defence cooperation.

(With inputs from companies)