British Indians came out to express solidarity chanting ‘Jai Ho!’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai!’ outside India House last week following the recent attack on the Indian High Commission in London by a group of Khalistani extremists who attempted to grab the Indian tricolour has led to massive outrage in the Indian diaspora across the globe and in Britain. While the community stands united to condemn this incident, more importantly, it is being contemplated whether this incident will hamper or in any way impact the UK-India bilateral ties, essentially the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Joy Ghosh interacted with concerned Indian community leaders at India House. Appreciated their solidarity following the attack on the High Commission on Sunday.
Will this disrupt the FTA?
Param Shah, Director UK, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) expressed his concern in a tweet, saying, “Unless the UK Government acts swiftly and decisively, I fear that this disgraceful attack on the High Commission of London today will disrupt the otherwise flourishing India-UK bilateral relationship, especially as we seek to conclude a Free Trade Agreement.”
Prominent geostrategist Brahma Chellaney said, “It is ironic that under an Indian-origin PM, UK's ties with India continue to take a hit, even as Modi has bent over backward to build closer ties with UK, including fast-tracking FTA negotiations. UK cannot escape culpability in Indian mission's storming.”
Soon after the news broke, the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening on 19 March to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day. “An explanation was demanded the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention. India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today’s incident, and put in place the stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” an official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, India read.
Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs UK, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said in a tweet, “Am appalled by today’s attack on the Indian High Commission in London. This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff. The UK Government will always take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously.”
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said, “I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission in London
- totally unacceptable.”
In an official statement to Asian Voice, Conservative Friends of India said, “Conservative Friends India strongly condemns and is appalled by the attacks on the High Commission of India. This abuse completely goes against the ethos of British law and order. We support the Government and the Met Police’s efforts to protect the Indian High Commission and other Missions from such vicious attacks.”
National Indian Students Association Union UK (NISAU UK) in a statement said, “We are shocked and immensely concerned by the violent disorder and vandalism that has taken place at our High Commission of India in London, the home of Indians in the UK. Salute to our brave diplomats led by Vikram Doraiswami and staff for protecting our Indian flag. Their safety and well-being and the dignity of India in the UK must be ensured. We call for swift and firm action being taken to bring the perpetrators of this hooliganism to justice. Measures should be urgently put in place to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. We stand in solidarity with our High Commission and Indians in the UK.”
Heritage Bengal Global, a community organisation to promote Bengali culture in the UK told the newsweekly that it “wholeheartedly condemns this cowardly attack” on the Indian High Commission and urges the British Government to act fast in nabbing the culprits. “These kinds of protests are becoming increasingly commonplace nowadays and the British Police should consider having a permanent patrol in that area for our security.”
Sparse security raises eyebrows
A man was arrested after violent scenes which saw windows smashed at the Indian High Commission in London. Metropolitan Police officers were called to the building in Aldwych, Westminster, at 1.50 pm on Sunday, where two security guards also suffered minor injuries. The Met has launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the force said: "Windows were broken at the High Commission building. “Two members of security staff sustained injuries. These are believed to be minor; they did not require hospital treatment. Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police," the spokesperson continued. An investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder. Inquiries continue."
Friends of India Society International (FISI UK) strongly condemned the attack and said, “Members of FISI UK is deeply shocked to see the disgraceful and abominable desecration of the Indian flag by the separatist and Khalistani extremist forces at the Indian High Commission on 19th March 2023. We lodge our strong protest at such deplorable actions that are clearly an attack on India’s honour and are a cause of concern for the diaspora in the UK.” The organisation also expressed shock at the ‘failure of the UK government to take preventive measures to prohibit such shameful incidents that endanger the Indian diplomatic officials.
The group also reiterated that such incidents have occurred in the past - which poses concerns about sparse security provided by the UK government at the Indian diplomatic premises which are also against the basic obligations of the Vienna Convention. “In this particular incident, an Indian High Commission braved the hooligans and restored the pride of India by taking the flag away from them. The Indian official had to act due to the lack of appropriate security present at the premises.”
The Indian National Students' Association (INSA) UK also said, “In addition to attacking our sovereignty and dignity, this act of violence puts our diplomats and staff in danger. We strongly condemn this act of aggression and call on the UK authorities to take immediate and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice. We stand in solidarity with our country's representatives and will not rest until those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
Labour Convention of Indian Organisations said in a tweet, “Distressing to see the High Commission of India (London) vandalised. The attempts to create division and tension here will not work. The British Government should ensure that all diplomats, staff and missions are protected and secure.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today. There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour. An investigation has been launched by the Met into today’s events.”
The Sikh community reacts
In a joint statement, Cllr Charan Singh Sekhon (Bedford) Founder & Chairman SEVA Trust UK, Rajinderpal Singh (Manchester), Satwant Singh (Manchester), Jatinderpal Singh (Manchester), Divgautam Singh (London), Sikh Activists & Community Workers said, “Everyone has the right for peaceful protest, but the use of violence or threats against Indian High Commission staff and forcefully trying to remove Tiranga (Tricolour), the national flag of India, is not acceptable and we condemn these actions. Such actions cannot achieve anything apart from damaging UK & India ties and our community cohesion.”
Charan Singh Sekhon, Founder and Chair, SEVA Trust UK said, “I feel we need to have open and honest discussions on these issues as a small minority are trying to make it as Sikhs vs Hindus issue or Sikhs vs India issue. Here in the UK, we all live in peace and harmony and such attempts to harm our unity need to be challenged. Equally, we need to understand that the Sikh and Punjabi Indian diaspora are very concerned about the situation in Punjab with partial curfew and Internet and communication modes shut by the authorities, the UK Sikh Community is concerned about the safety of their loved ones and the online access and other services must be restored ASAP and no innocent should get caught up in this situation but there is no room to cause violence here in the UK targeting High Commission staff or causing vandalism. I also feel more interfaith dialogue and discussion forums at Temples and Gurdwaras can help to clear out any misconceptions.”
Gurmail Singh, the Vice President of Ramgarhia Sikh Society Bedford added, “I feel everyone has the right to a peaceful protest but the use of violence or threats against Indian High Commission staff and forcefully removing Indian Flag is not acceptable and we condemn these actions.”
In a statement, President of Siri Guru Ravidass Gurdwara, Jaswinder Kumar said, “Everyone has the right to a peaceful protest but the use of violence or threats against Indian High Commission staff and forcefully removing Indian flag is not acceptable and we condemn these actions.”
