"We strongly condemn the incident that took place"
Pro-Khalistan protesters and activists staged a demonstration outside Chatham House in London. The protest was said to target India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The protesters, carrying flags and loudspeakers, chanted slogans as Jaishankar arrived, went inside the venue and on his exit.
A Khalistan supporter broke through a police cordon and then ripped what appeared to be the Indian national flag in front of Jaishankar’s convoy as he was leaving.
The incident occurred on March 5, 2025.
The protest occurred amid ongoing demonstrations by supporters of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh homeland.
London police reportedly detained the protester briefly. The individual’s identity has not been disclosed.
The video of the incident has been circulating across social media.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement:
“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.”
? : 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/zSYrqDgBRx
— THE SQUADRON (@THE_SQUADR0N) March 5, 2025
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that any attempts to disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.
In a statement, the FCDO said:
“We strongly condemn the incident that took place outside Chatham House yesterday during the External Affairs Minister’s visit to the UK.
“While the UK upholds the right to peaceful protest, any attempts to intimidate, threaten, or disrupt public events are completely unacceptable.”
British authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are implementing heightened security measures around the Indian High Commission.
Pro-Khalistan protests have frequently occurred in cities like London and Toronto.
The movement has sparked controversy within the Sikh diaspora and India, with varying perspectives on its objectives and methods.
The Indian government sees Khalistan supporters as extremists and has been critical of what it views as the UK and Canada’s soft stance on pro-Khalistan groups.
Khalistani protesters have frequently camped outside the Indian High Commission in London, most recently in January 2025.
In April 2023, India asked Britain for increased monitoring of UK-based Khalistan supporters after protesters detached the Indian flag from the diplomatic mission’s building.
The incidents highlight the ongoing tensions between pro-Khalistan groups and India.
Jaishankar is on a six-day trip to Britain and Ireland.
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