UK Must Be Sent A Clear Message

After witnessing the Khalistani subversive assertion in Canada with the tacit support of the government there to denigrate India, the United Kingdom has emerged as another epicentre of Khalistani separatists to act against the Indian national interests to catch the international gaze. This time Khalistani radicals have made their presence felt when the Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr.S.Jaishankar is on an official visit to the UK from March 4-9.His visit is part of the policy meant to strengthen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership that encompasses trade, health, education, defence co-operation and people to people ties. It is really appalling that when the EAM is on an official visit to strengthen the ties between the two nations, he is greeted with anti-India demonstrations that too when the security personnel were present in good numbers. The videos that have gone viral on the social media make it clear that the Khalistani radicals attempted to attack him as they proceeded towards the vehicle that he was to board after he departed from the Chatham House. The video that has gone viral shows a man sprinting towards the EAM and tears the Indian Tricolour in front of his vehicle that too in presence of the police officers who were supposed to ensure that the security ring spread for the dignitary is not violated. It is really shocking to see the police deployed on the spot as unresponsive. Khalistani subversives gathered outside the venue where Dr.Jaishankar was to attend the meeting and started protesting against his presence at the venue, waiving the Khalistani flags. The sloganeering can be clearly heard in the video, depicting the opposition meant to disrupt the Indian EAM’s engagements. It must be underlined that the London police has failed to give the appropriate security cover to the Indian EAM at the venue. A question needs to be asked as to why the police allowed the protestors to assemble outside the venue when it was known that the protestors had gathered to raise anti-India and pro Khalistani slogans to cause embracement to the hosts? It makes clear that there was a tacit understanding to allow these protestors to gather at the venue and hijack the situation and make headlines. It has happened many times in the UK that anti-India forces have been given free hand to execute their subversive agenda and indulge in sabotage whenever there is an event that concerns Indian interest. Even the forces that have been working to indulge in wrecking peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir have their offices intact in London. At times these forces that want secession of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab from India have been given free space to act. This incident of tearing the Indian flag by a Khalistani and sprinting towards the vehicle of the EAM with an intention to cause harm is part of this continuous subversive agenda that is being patronised in the UK. This has happened at a time when Dr.Jaishankar is in London to boost the India-UK ties. It means that the UK policy makers want to play on both sides. On the one hand they want to give an impression that they are interested in building bilateral ties with India in different sectors. And on the other, they are using the secessionist and anti-India forces to pressurise and embarrass India on their soil. This double standard is unacceptable. Indian government must convey in unequivocal terms that these incidents meant to denigrate India will be taken as an act of animosity and patronage of such subversive forces will be taken as violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. And this can lead to retardation in India-UK ties. Message must be loud and clear.