On Wednesday, suspected pro-Khalistan supporters demonstrated outside the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, unlike the prior event during which the Tricolour was pulled down and an effort made to fly the Khalistan flag, the protest this time was contained behind police barricades.
The barriers were erected in response to Indian diaspora protests about destruction at the UK consulate by alleged extremist and separatist forces. Much uniformed police have been monitoring the Aldwych area since the weekend, and Metropolitan Police vehicles had been stationed near India Place. Barricades outside the British High Commission in New Delhi were dismantled earlier on Wednesday.
The seniormost UK diplomat in New Delhi was called on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission was vandalised, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an official announcement yesterday. The lack of British security, which allowed suspected pro-Khalistan individuals to enter the High Commission facilities, was questioned. The ambassador was reminded in this respect of the basic duties of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention.
“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK,” the MEA release said.
The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the “disgraceful acts” outside the Indian High Commission, calling it totally unacceptable. “I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted earlier.
The burning of the national flag last Sunday led to an extraordinary outpouring of sympathy from the broad Indian population living in Britain.
