The UK Foreign Office has ‘strongly condemned’ the security breach of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London, and warned that “any attempt to intimidate and threaten” is unacceptable, media reports said.
Jaishankar was heckled and faced an attempted attack by Khalistani extremists in London on Thursday (IST) as he departed in a car following an event at the Chatham House think tank.
Jaishankar is currently on a two-nation tour of the UK and Ireland.
The Metropolitan Police acted swiftly in dealing with the situation, media reports said.
India Reacts
India, meanwhile, has said it expects the host government “to fully live up to its diplomatic obligations” in such cases and deplored the “misuse of democratic freedoms” by those elements, referring to Khalistanis.
“We have seen the footage of a breach of security during the visit of the external affairs minister to the UK,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
“We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists,” he said.
“We deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements. We expect the host government in such cases to fully live up to their diplomatic obligations,” Jaiswal added.
A video circulating online captures a man rushing toward Jaishankar’s vehicle and tearing the Indian national flag while London police officers stood by without reacting.
The act of vandalism unfolded in their presence, raising concerns about security measures.
Several pro-Khalistan demonstrators were seen holding flags and staging a protest outside the venue where Jaishankar had participated in discussions.
The incident occurred amid Jaishankar’s official visit to the UK from March 4-9, during which he was scheduled to meet British foreign secretary David Lammy and other key officials.
