India denies report of halting trade talks with UK over Khalistani attacks

Indian authorities have stalled trade talks with the United Kingdom after accusing it of failing to condemn a Sikh extremist group that attacked the Indian high commission in London last month, The Times reported, citing British Government resources.

The report, which was based on information provided by sources within the British government, revealed that the Indian government is currently unwilling to engage in any discussions about trade until they receive a public condemnation of Khalistan extremism in the UK.

However, an Indian foreign ministry source on Monday told that trade talks with Britain had not been suspended, describing a report to that effect in The Times as “baseless”.

A British diplomat in New Delhi said talks with India over trade were continuing as scheduled.

The incident occurred on March 19, when protesters with ‘Khalistan’ banners staged a demonstration at the High Commission and took down an Indian flag from the building’s first floor balcony to denounce recent police action in Punjab.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on March 19 after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised. The diplomat in New Delhi was summoned to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day.

“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK,” the MEA press release said.

Protests in favour of Sikh separatists have also been reported from Australia and Canada in recent months, with Hindu temples also vandalised.