Recently, an attempt was made by Khalistani protesters in London to attack Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister. During this incident, not only was an attempt made to breach his security, but the Indian national flag was also vandalized in front of him. This raises serious questions about the security arrangements provided by the United Kingdom (UK) to foreign dignitaries.
A Major Diplomatic Concern
The attack occurred in a highly secure VIP zone of London, an area that houses key government buildings. Video footage shows Khalistani protesters crossing barricades and approaching Dr. Jaishankar’s vehicle. Despite their aggressive approach, UK police failed to take immediate action and only intervened when a protester stood directly in front of the minister’s car.
India has strongly condemned the incident and formally protested against it, questioning the UK’s security standards for visiting foreign ministers. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement expressing its deep concern over the misuse of democratic freedoms by extremist elements.
Repeated Failures by the UK Government
This is not the first time that Khalistani extremists have targeted Indian diplomats in London. In 2023, the Indian High Commission in London was attacked, with protesters attempting to pull down the Indian flag. At that time, India had summoned the UK’s High Commissioner and demanded strict security measures. However, this latest incident proves that little has changed.
The UK government’s reluctance to act against Khalistani elements raises doubts about its commitment to Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). This treaty obligates host countries to ensure the security of foreign diplomats and leaders. While the UK expects strict security for its own diplomats in India, it fails to provide the same level of protection to Indian officials in London.
India’s Possible Response
India has multiple diplomatic options to put pressure on the UK government:
1. Stronger Protests – India could escalate its diplomatic protests and demand an official UK government response on the security lapse.
2. Reciprocity Measures – Similar to how Canada faced diplomatic consequences after tensions with India, New Delhi could reassess UK’s diplomatic privileges in India.
3. International Pressure – India could highlight this issue at global forums, emphasizing the rising threats from extremist elements in the UK.
The Bigger Picture
The UK’s credibility as a global power is at stake. With leaders like Donald Trump challenging Britain’s influence, the country cannot afford to alienate India, a rising global power. If the UK does not take corrective action, it risks straining its ties with one of the world’s largest economies.
This incident is more than just a security breach—it is a test of UK-India relations. Will the UK take strict action, or will it continue to ignore the growing Khalistani extremism on its soil? Only time will tell.