India is likely to mount diplomatic pressure on the UK, and the US to take tough action against those using their territory for propagating the Khalistan agenda. New Delhi is also planning to call out the West for its silence over the violent protest outside the Indian mission in London by Khalistan supporters. Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that the Indian envoys will raise this matter at different international forums including the United Nations, sending out a strong message to all the Western countries for their silence over the same.
“The Modi government is deeply upset over the western countries’ reluctance to act against the elements who propagate Khalistan agenda on the soil of various western countries including the UK, the US,” said sources, adding, “the Indian government during meetings at different levels will be mounting diplomatic pressure on these nations to take concrete action against such elements.”
“A detailed strategy is being prepared to ensure that London and Washington go hard on Khalistan supporters, as the recent activities are proof of the fact that the governments in these countries are soft on them,” said sources. “They will be asked not to allow their territory to be used by Khalistan supporters for anti-India activities. Rather, these elements must be dealt with strictly,” sources said.
The strategy regarding the action to be taken by India to mount pressure on the UK and the US and other countries like Canada and Australia will be decided in due course of time, sources added. “The suggestions that are coming to the diplomatic leadership say that New Delhi should consider putting a hold on bilateral diplomatic and ministerial visits for the time being,” according to sources. PM Modi, NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have recently discussed the situation. The EAM is learnt to have updated the PM on the development and action taken so far.
Some action by India began on Wednesday itself. New Delhi reduced security outside the British high commission and the envoy’s residence in what was seen as retaliation for a violent protest outside the Indian mission in London over the weekend. Barricades placed outside the UK mission at Shantipath in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave and British high commissioner Alex Ellis’ residence at Rajaji Marg were removed by Wednesday afternoon.
In fact, the development followed an assessment by the government about responding to a violent protest outside the Indian high commission in London on Sunday. During this protest, a pro-Khalistan activist clambered onto a balcony and pulled down the national flag from a pole at the front of the building. London police arrived at the scene long after the protest began, leading to anger on the Indian side. British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott was summoned to the external affairs ministry late on Sunday night for registering a strong protest over the “actions taken by separatist and extremist elements” against the Indian mission. The Indian side demanded an explanation for the “complete absence of the British security” that allowed the pro-Khalistan elements to enter the mission premises. Moreover, the UK government was asked to take “immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved” in Sunday’s protest. India also asked the UK to put in place “stringent measures” to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and reminded it of its obligations 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,” a statement from the external affairs ministry said. In addition to this, India also lodged a strong protest with the US on Monday over the vandalisation of its consulate in San Francisco during a protest by pro-Khalistan activists. India called in the US Charge d›Affaires and conveyed its strong protest for what happened in San Francisco where a separatist mob caused disruption to its functioning. US diplomat Elizabeth Jones was reminded of the US Government’s “basic obligation” to protect and secure diplomatic representation. It was also asked to take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The Indian Embassy in Washington also conveyed New Delhi’s concerns to the US State Department along similar lines. In response, a huge Tricolour was put up at the Indian High Commission building in London and the Sikh community, armed with tricolours, held a protest outside the British High Commission over the attempt to pull down the tricolor at the Indian mission in London. As a result of India’s strong action, unprecedented security arrangements were seen outside the Indian High Commission in central London on Wednesday ahead of a planned protest, in an apparent effort to prevent a repeat of the vandalism seen three days ago. Several vans carrying dozens of uniformed officers were stationed outside the building known as India House. Mounted police on horses patrolled the street and barricades were installed on the sidewalk. A big Indian flag remained strung between windows following Sunday›s incident. Officials inside the Indian mission, the largest in the world, were working as usual. “The step came shortly after the police in New Delhi removed traffic barricades outside the British High Commission, in a move interpreted by some as a demonstration of India›s displeasure with the breach in London.
