The Indian government has strongly condemned the security breach that took place during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday denounced the "provocative activities" carried out by a small group of "separatists and extremists" and called on the UK government to meet its diplomatic obligations.The breach occurred when a group of Khalistani extremists gathered outside Chatham House in London, where Jaishankar was engaged in discussions. The protesters, carrying Indian flags and loudspeakers, shouted slogans, creating a chaotic scene. However, the situation escalated further when one protester aggressively ran towards Jaishankar’s car and tore the Indian Tricolour in front of UK police officers, raising serious security concerns.
 

India’s Response to the Incident

The Ministry of External Affairs swiftly reacted to the incident, stating, “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.”Videos circulating on social media showed the protesters waving Khalistani flags and chanting slogans as they attempted to disrupt the high-profile visit. The man responsible for tearing the Tricolour was also caught on camera running towards Jaishankar’s convoy. Initially, UK police seemed reluctant to act but later intervened, detaining the individual and dispersing other extremists.The incident has raised concerns about the security measures provided for Indian dignitaries during their foreign visits, particularly in countries like the UK, where pro-Khalistan elements have been active. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in London, as similar protests have taken place outside the Indian High Commission in recent years.
 

Jaishankar’s UK Visit and His Response to the Kashmir Issue

Despite the security breach, Jaishankar’s visit to the UK has continued as scheduled. His diplomatic engagements include meetings with key British officials, including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Discussions between the two leaders covered a wide range of topics, including political cooperation, educational collaboration, mobility agreements, and people-to-people exchanges.During his interaction at Chatham House, Jaishankar faced a question from a Pakistani journalist who suggested that addressing the Kashmir issue might make him "nervous." The journalist further accused India of "illegally occupying Kashmir" and claimed that the region was heavily militarized, with "one million troops controlling seven million Kashmiris." The journalist also referenced India’s relationship with former US President Donald Trump, asking whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi could leverage that friendship to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
 

Jaishankar, however, firmly rejected any suggestion of third-party intervention in Kashmir and emphasized India's sovereignty over the matter. In a strong rebuttal, he stated, “I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under an illegal Pakistani occupation. When that's done, I assure you, Kashmir solved.”His remarks underscored India's long-standing position that Kashmir is an internal matter and that any resolution will be determined solely by India. The statement also reaffirmed India’s stance against Pakistan’s claims over the region.
 

Diplomatic Repercussions and Security Concerns

The security lapse during Jaishankar’s visit has intensified diplomatic tensions between India and the UK. India has been vocal about its concerns regarding the activities of pro-Khalistan groups in Western nations, especially in Canada and the UK, where separatist movements have been gaining momentum.Earlier, Indian authorities had expressed disappointment over the handling of similar protests outside the Indian High Commission in London. This latest breach further highlights the challenges posed by such extremist groups and the host countries’ ability to control them.With Jaishankar’s visit set to conclude on March 9, all eyes will be on how the UK responds to India's strong condemnation. The security lapse has once again put the spotlight on the responsibility of host nations to ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries while also managing the balance between democratic freedoms and preventing extremist activities.India is likely to raise this issue in further diplomatic talks, pressing the UK to take stronger action against extremist groups that threaten diplomatic missions and official visits. Meanwhile, the broader implications of this incident may influence India-UK relations, particularly in areas concerning security cooperation and counter-extremism measures.