Will ensure safety of staff: UK to review security at Indian mission in London after ‘unacceptable acts of violence’
NEW DELHI,MAR 23 : UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly has said the security at the Indian High Commission in London will be reviewed following “unacceptable acts of violence” towards the mission’s staff.
Cleverly’s statement came in the wake of a massive protest by Khalistani groups outside the India House in London’s Westminster on Wednesday, three days after pro-Khalistan separatists vandalised and pulled down the Tricolour flying atop the Indian mission.
“We are working with the Metropolitan Police to review security at the Indian High Commission, and will make the changes needed to ensure the safety of its staff as we did for today’s demonstration. We will always take the security of the High Commission, and all foreign missions in the UK, extremely seriously, and prevent and robustly respond to incidents such as this,” he said.
Security barricades removed at British envoy’s Delhi home after Khalistani attack at Indian mission
The British foreign secretary said a police investigation was ongoing after the acts of violence. He also assured that the UK government is working in tandem with the Indian mission and New Delhi to resolve the diplomatic wrangle the incident touched off.
“Acts of violence towards staff at the Indian High Commission in London are unacceptable and I have made our position clear to the High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami. The police investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Government in Delhi,” Cleverly added.
Grand Tricolour, late-night summons: India’s strong response to Khalistani protest at UK mission
The Khalistani sympathisers were demonstrating against the crackdown by security forces in Punjab on Waris Punjab De’s chief, Amritpal Singh. A video shows a protester pulling down the Indian national flag while raising pro-Khalistan slogans. According to reports, the agitators attempted to enter the premises as well.
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Following the violence at the Indian High Commission in London, India lodged a strong protest with the UK authorities by summoning British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott to the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday night.
Condemning the incident, the Indian administration said it found the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK unacceptable.
On Wednesday, Indian authorities began scaling down security outside the British High Commission and the envoy’s residence in Delhi. Extra barricades outside the UK mission in Chanakyapuri’s diplomatic enclave and British High Commissioner Alex Ellis’ residence were removed.
-PTI
