Thu Mar 06 10:00:46 UTC 2025: ## India Condemns Pro-Khalistan Protest During Jaishankar’s UK Visit

**London, March 5, 2025** – India has strongly condemned a security breach during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom, following a protest by pro-Khalistan separatists outside a London venue. The demonstration, which involved chanting slogans and displaying flags, occurred Wednesday outside Chatham House, where Mr. Jaishankar was participating in a discussion.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement denouncing the “provocative activities of this small group of separatists and extremists,” deploring the misuse of democratic freedoms and expecting the UK government to uphold its diplomatic obligations. Despite the protest, Mr. Jaishankar continued his engagements, meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Mr. Jaishankar’s meeting with Home Secretary Cooper focused on talent flow, people-to-people exchanges, and countering trafficking and extremism. He later tweeted about the positive meeting. His meeting with Prime Minister Starmer covered bilateral and global issues, including progress on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

This is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, pro-Khalistan groups protested outside the Indian High Commission, and also disrupted a screening of the film “Emergency.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s concerns regarding violent protests and intimidation by anti-India elements in the UK, emphasizing that freedom of speech cannot be selectively applied. India has consistently raised these concerns with the UK government. Mr. Jaishankar’s visit to the UK was part of a broader diplomatic tour encompassing the UK and Ireland.

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