India protests over pulling down of tricolou at London mission

India has registered its strong protest with the British government over the safety of its diplomatic mission and questioned the lack of sufficient security at the premises. The foreign ministry summoned the seniormost diplomat of UK in New Delhi late Sunday evening as the Indian flag was pulled down from the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistan sympathisers protesting against the police crackdown on separatist Amritpal Singh. In a statement, the ministry demanded an explanation for "absence of security" at the high commission premises and said the UK government's "indifference" to Indian diplomats and personnel was "unacceptable".

India lodges strong protest with UK.

Press Release ➡️ https://t.co/Apz9tgy1Ki pic.twitter.com/PV2VyUw1Lt

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 19, 2023

The pulling down of tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan protesters has infuriated people back home, with calls of strictest action against the culprits. A group of Khalistan supporters waved separatist flags and chanted pro-Khalistani slogans on Sunday as they grabbed India's national flag flying atop the mission in London, leading to an arrest related to the violent disorder. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla tweeted: “Highly condemnable incident. Culprits must be arrested by British police.”

#WATCH | United Kingdom: Khalistani elements attempt to pull down the Indian flag but the flag was rescued by Indian security personnel at the High Commission of India, London.

(Source: MATV, London)

(Note: Abusive language at the end) pic.twitter.com/QP30v6q2G0

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023

Officials from the mission said the "attempted but failed" attack had been foiled and that the tricolour was now flying "grander", “There was no report of any injury, however windows were broken at the High Commission building,” the Metropolitan Police statement said.