India condemns Jaishankar heckled by Khalistani extremists “Deplore the misuse of democratic freedoms”

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said that India expects the host government UK will live up to its diplomatic obligations.

India condemned the heckling of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar by Khalistani extremists in London, stated that New Delhi “deplores the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements”.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement issued said that India expects the host government will live up to its diplomatic obligations.

“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,” he said.

The statement came after Dr Jaishankar was heckled by Khalistani extremists in London.

The incident took place on March 5, when the Indian minister was leaving Chatham House after attending an exclusive event.

According to a video released in social media a pro-Khalistani protestors are seen heckling Dr Jaishankar.

One of them came in front of Dr Jaishankar’s convoy and tears an Indian flag before being taken away by the police.

On the other side of the road, several protesters holding pro-Khalistani flags shouted slogans against India.

According to reports, the man was briefly detained by the local police.

EAM escaped unharmed, the incident has raised serious questions about the safety of the visiting Indian minister, Ministry of External Affairs noted.

UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson 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.”

UK said the Metropolitan Police acted swiftly to address the situation, and London remains fully committed to ensuring the security of all diplomatic visitors, in line with the nation’s international obligations.

The statements from the two countries came after Jaishankar was heckled by Khalistani extremists on Wednesday when he was leaving Chatham House after attending an exclusive event.