New Delhi: A pro-Khalistan demonstrator breached security of external affairs minister S Jaishankar in London as he ran towards his car and tore the Indian flag while the police carried him away.
The incident took place amid a demonstration by Khalistan supporters who attempted to disrupt Jaishankar’s visit for a discussion at Chatham House in London. The minister is on an official visit to the United Kingdom and is scheduled to return on March 9.
Videos of the incident are circulating on social media. In one of the videos, demonstrators can be heard sloganeering as one of them comes forward, rushes towards Jaishankar and tears the tricolour in front of his convoy.
In other videos, demonstrators can be seen sloganeering, carrying loudspeakers and waving the Khalistan flag.
#BREAKING: Khalistani goons attempt to heckle India’s External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar in London while he was leaving in a car. A man can be seen trying to run towards him, tearing the Indian national flag in front of cops. Police seem helpless, as if ordered to not act. pic.twitter.com/wXK8sxVal8
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 5, 2025
Reacting to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “We have seen the footage of a breach of security during the visit of EAM to the UK. 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.”
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said, “We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House yesterday during the external affairs minister’s visit to the UK.”
He added, “While the UK upholds the right to peaceful protest, any attempts to intimidate, threaten or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.”
The UK Foreign Office also noted that the Metropolitan Police “acted swiftly to address the situation” and reaffirmed, “We remain fully committed to ensuring the security of all our diplomatic visitors, in line with our international obligations.”
In his ongoing visit, Jaishankar has held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmar, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and other leaders.
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During his meeting with Cooper, the two leaders discussed “the flow of talent, people to people exchanges, and joint efforts in tackling trafficking and extremism”, Jaishankar posted on X.
Earlier in January, Khalistan demonstrators staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London.
In another incident, Khalistani supporters stormed a cinema in London’s Harrow in an attempt to halt the screening of Emergency, a film starring BJP MP Kangana Ranaut.
This article was updated at 12:10 am on March 7 with the UK Foreign Office’s statement.
