The United Kingdom’s security for the foreign ministers became a question after external affairs minister S Jaishankar was attacked by “Khalistani thugs” in London. Raising the issue in the House of Commons Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman said that this incident is an affront to democracy, to friends and allies in India.
Blackman also urged for measures to prevent such incidents and requested the House Leader to ensure appropriate ministerial statements regarding visitor protection protocols.
While addressing the House, Blackman said, “Yesterday, external affairs minister from India, Sri S Jaishankar, was attacked when he was leaving a public venue when he’d been addressing an audience of Indian people in this country. He was attacked by Khalistani thugs. This is against the Geneva Convention and it appears that the police and the security forces failed to ensure that he was made safe. Now, this is an affront to democracy, it’s an affront to our friends and allies in India, and we need to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
“So will the leader ensure that the Home Secretary or appropriate minister makes a statement to this House about what protection we’re going to make sure when we have external visitors to this country that they are safe,” he added.
Labour’s House Leader Lucy Powell apologised for the incident that happened with EAM Jaishankar and said that this is not how UK wanted the visitors to be treated.
Powell said, “I am really sorry to hear about the attack, the very serious attack, it sounds like, on a visitor to this country from the Indian Parliament. Was it the Indian Parliament? I think he said this is unacceptable and is not how we want visitors to be treated, and I will absolutely ensure that he gets a full response from the Home Secretary about it.”
Khalistani extremists heckle, attempt to attack EAM Jaishankar
External affairs minister was attacked while leaving an event at the Chatham House think tank in London. A video circulating online shows a man running towards Jaishankar’s vehicle and tearing the national flag of India in front of London police officers, who appeared unresponsive despite the act of vandalism.
Pro-Khalistan supporters were also seen holding flags and staging a protest outside the venue where Jaishankar participated in a discussion.
Jaishankar is in the UK to strengthen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership, covering trade, health, education, people-to-people ties, and defence cooperation.
‘We deplore misuse of democratic freedoms,’ MEA responds
The MEA on Thursday issued a statement after an incident in which EAM S Jaishankar was heckled by Khalistani extremists while leaving an event at the Chatham House think tank in London.
Addressing the incident, an MEA spokesperson stated, “We have seen the footage of a breach of security during the visit of EAM to the UK. We condemn the provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists. 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 obligation.”
UK foreign office condemns security breach
The Ministry of External Affairs called upon the UK to fulfil its diplomatic responsibilities following the security breach attempt. Subsequently, UK Chargé D’ Affaires Christina Scott was summoned to address serious concerns.
The FCDO emphasised that any attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.
In a statement, the UK foreign office said: “We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House yesterday during the External Affairs Minister’s visit to the UK. While the UK upholds the right to peaceful protest, any attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed swift action, with officers intercepting a flag-waving protester who approached the minister’s stationary vehicle. The minister departed without further incident, and no arrests were made.
Jaishankar’s UK and Ireland tour continues with scheduled bilateral discussions with Irish counterpart Simon Harris in Dublin.