MEA ‘deplores misuse of democratic freedom’ after pro-Khalistani breach security during Jaishankar’s London visit

In this image released by @DrSJaishankar via X on March 6, 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a conversation with Director and CEO of Bronwen Maddox at Chatham House, in England.
| Photo Credit: PTI

A pro-Khalistani protester rushed in front of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s car as he was leaving an event at Chatham House in London on Wednesday night. The Minister had just engaged in an hour-long discussion focused on India and the changing world order, as part of his visit to the U.K. to open consulates and develop the bilateral relationship.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson condemned the incident, calling on the U.K. to live up to its diplomatic obligations.

“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 obligations,” the spokesperson for the MEA said.

In video footage posted on social media, the protester can be seen shouting “Khalistan” and tearing a cloth with the colours of the Indian flag when he approaches the front of Mr. Jaishankar’s SUV. The individual and a few others are seen standing apart from a larger group of protesters gathered across the road, holding yellow “Khalistan” flags, opposite the entrance to Chatham House in St. James Square, where the Minister’s event was being held. The protesters had gathered earlier and were shouting slogans. The individual in question was not behind a security barricade like the other protesters, presumably because he was holding a cloth that resembled the Indian flag.

When the protester rushed in front of Mr. Jaishankar’s car, the Minister was already seated at the back and a man who appeared to be a security officer was seen getting into the front seat.

Three police officers rushed to the protester and took him back across the road.

Security for Indian officials and India’s physical assets in the U.K. had become flashpoints in the bilateral relationship, with things reaching a head in March 2023, when Khalistani separatists took down the national flag from the front façade of the Indian High Commission in London and attacked the property.

The British High Commissioner to India (Alex Ellis) at the time was summoned by the Indian government and security for him and the British High Commission in New Delhi was diminished in what appeared to be retaliation by the government.

After assurances from London were issued and police officers were permanently stationed outside the High Commission, Mr. Jaishankar visited London in November 2023 to give the relationship a boost.

Power changed hands from the Conservatives to Labour in July 2024 — after a period of 14 years. With that came the promise of a further reset as the Labour Party had declared that it would change its relationship with the government and Indian Britons, whose support for the party was waning, over the party’s positions on the Modi government’s policies, especially around Kashmir.

The British government has been pulling out all the stops for the External Affairs Minister on this visit, with Mr. Jaishankar and his wife Kyoko Jaishankar spending time with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his wife Nicola Green on a working retreat at the Foreign Secretary’s official country residence, Chevening House, in Kent. Mr. Jaishankar also met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer (he had met with former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his November 2023 visit).

‘Cautiously optimistic’ that FTA talks will accelerate: Jaishankar

India and the U.K. are currently discussing a free trade agreement (FTA) with talks that began in 2022, being relaunched last month under the Starmer government.

“I am cautiously optimistic that the pace will quicken,” said Mr. Jaishankar.

“With the EU, we are into our third decade [of trade negotiations]… it’s not an experience I recommend to anybody else,” he said.

Mr. Jaishankar said there was no “big boulder” in the negotiations that had to be moved out of the way (i.e., no single, large sticking point) and countered what he had read in the press about visas being a block to concluding the trade deal. He said the only visas under discussion were visas for intra-corporate (i.e., within company) transferees.

Concluding the FTA with the U.K. would have an impact beyond trade in the bilateral relationship, according to Mr. Jaishankar, who said it would encourage people to explore other possibilities. He cited examples in the educational and nuclear energy fields.

“I think many of these are waiting to happen… an FTA would provide that sort of tailwind,” he said.

U.K. condemns security breach

The U.K. on Thursday strongly condemned the security breach, saying such attempts to “intimidate, threaten, or disrupt” public events are “completely unacceptable”.

“We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House yesterday (Wednesday) during the External Affairs Minister’s visit to the U.K.,” a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said.

“While the U.K. upholds the right to peaceful protest, any attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable. The Metropolitan Police acted swiftly to address the situation, and we remain fully committed to ensuring the security of all our diplomatic visitors, in line with our international obligations,” the spokesperson said.

A Met Police spokesperson added: “As the Minister left the event, a protester ran in front of his stationary car waving a flag… He was quickly intercepted by officers and moved out of the way. He did not get close to the Minister who was able to leave the area without further incident. There were no arrests.”

(With PTI inputs)