London, March 6, 2025: The United Kingdom has condemned, with great force, a breach of security during the official visit of India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in London. A pro-Khalistani protester was said to have somehow gotten past security barriers, placing doubts about the safety of diplomatic envoys in London.
Minister Jaishankar was present on March 5, 2025, at an event at Chatham House, the think tank in London, as part of his six-day tour of the UK and Ireland. Just inches away from the Chatham House venue, a protester for the Khalistan movement broke through the police cordon while the minister had just finished the event and was scheduled to leave.
He attempted to desecrate the Indian flag right before he was grabbed by the cops. Eyewitnesses said that only a handful of protesters were gathered at this point waving flags and chanting pro-Khalistan slogans: Khalistan is an independent Sikh homeland.
Footage circulating on social media shows the very moment the protester made his way past the security perimeter and into the path of the convoy, leaving him open to a possible attack. The British Government reacted to the incident The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) has released a statement condemned the incident very strongly.
“We strongly condemn the incident which occurred outside Chatham House during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to the UK,” a spokesperson said. “While the UK acknowledges the right to peaceful protest, there is no place for intimidation, threats, or disruption of public events,” she added. Super fast action was taken by the Metropolitan Police. In line with our international obligations, the UK is committed to ensuring the security of all our diplomatic visitors,” said a spokesman.
The breach has now raised questions about the adequacy of protection extended to foreign dignitaries. Rationale is found in diplomatic conventions that dictate host nations provide surrounding assistance fully in guaranteeing foreign officials’ sanctity and security.
Although the prompt action taken by the Metropolitan Police has been commended, the breach itself highlights possible weaknesses still requiring evaluation to stop similar events from happening in the future.
There is an immediate condemnation of security violating the ministerial visit by the UK, underscoring the significance of a good backdrop in securing and respecting the rights of diplomats. With China continuing the probe into these security breaches, both countries will probably work very closely together to tighten up security procedures while upholding their diplomatic obligations to one another.
