New Delhi, Apr 12 (Agency) India on Wednesday “specifically conveyed its concerns” to the UK over the vandalization of the Indian High Commission in London last month, and on the “misuse” of UK’s asylum status by pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India. This was conveyed during the 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD) held in New Delhi today. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the UK delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft.
“The Indian side specifically conveyed its concerns on the misuse of UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and requested better cooperation with UK and increased monitoring of UK based Pro-Khalistan Extremists and take appropriate proactive action. India’s concerns over the breach of security of Indian High Commission were also emphasized,” an official statement said. The meeting was also attended by other senior officials of both countries. During the meeting both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, “extradition, anti-India activities in UK including Pro-Khalistan Extremism among other issues”, it said. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and maintain the momentum for enhanced security cooperation between the two countries, it said. On March 19, late on Sunday evening, India had summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi to convey its strong protest after some Khalistani activists removed the Indian flag from outside the Indian High Commission in London.
India had also demanded an explanation for the complete absence of British security that allowed the Khalistani elements to enter the Indian High Commission premises. In a statement, India said it finds “unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK”. India also demanded that the perpetrators be immediately arrested and prosecuted and stringent measures be put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Videos on social media showed a group of Khalistani supporters shout pro-Khalistan slogans, and one person clambering on the verandah of the Indian High Commission and removing the Indian flag, to cheering and shouting of Khalistani slogans by the crowd. According to reports, India has “disengaged” from the FTA talks with UK over Britain’s failure to condemn pro-Khalistani activists who vandalised the Indian High Commission last month. The Indian government has made it clear to the UK that there would be no progress in the FTA negotiations without a public condemnation of the Khalistan movement, the reports said. While, the UK government had condemned the March 19 attack on the Indian High Commission, the Indian government wants it to publicly condemn the Khalistani group, the reports added.