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‘UK reviewing security at Indian High Commission’

Cleverly says both UK and India are committed to delivering an ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA and concluded the latest round of trade talks last month…reports Asian Lite News

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has condemned the recent acts of violence at the Indian High Commission adding that Metropolitan Police were reviewing security and changes were being made to ensure safety, said a spokesperson of the UK Department for Business and Trade on Monday.

He also said that both UK and India are committed to delivering an ambitious and mutually beneficial Foreign Trade Agreement and concluded the latest round of trade talks last month. Regarding the violence at the Indian High Commission in London, an official statement of the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, James Cleverly said, “Acts of violence towards staff at the Indian High Commission are unacceptable and I have made our position clear to the High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami. The police investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Government in New Delhi.”

“We are working with the Metropolitan Police to review security at the Indian High Commission, and will make the changes needed to ensure the safety of its staff as we did for today’s demonstration,” it added.

The UK Foreign Secretary’s official statement also read, “We will always take the security of the High Commission, and all foreign missions in the UK, extremely seriously, and prevent and robustly respond to incidents such as this.”

In relation to the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, he said that the UK-India relationship, driven by the deep personal connections between our two countries, is thriving.

“Our joint 2030 Roadmap guides our relationship and shows what we can achieve when we work together, creating new markets and jobs for the two countries and helping to tackle shared challenges,” the statement added.

“We want to build deeper ties between the UK and India for the future,” it concluded.

Earlier this month, the UK Foreign Secretary had said that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement can and must deliver practical, real-world benefits for businesses in both countries and that this will give a strong message to the world that the two countries are committed to building closer partnerships.

“FTA can and must deliver practical, real-world benefits for businesses in both of our countries. It will also send a strong signal to the whole world that our two great countries are committed to building even closer partnerships with each other,” Cleverly said.

The UK Foreign Secretary made the above remarks while addressing the gathering at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Special Plenary Session of India Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi.

Cleverly during his address said that UK and India, the 6th and 5th largest economies in the world respectively, must work closely together to contribute to the world’s economic security and prosperity.

He said that in times of social and economic turbulence, trusted partners need to work even closer together.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities on Monday denied reports of stalling trade negotiations with the UK for trade facilitations, calling it ‘baseless’. This is in contradiction to the report by The Times (UK), which was also carried by several other outlets, stating India accused Britain of failing to condemn a Sikh extremist group that attacked the Indian high commission last month.

In recent times, the global landscape has witnessed the emergence of strong partnerships between countries aimed at fostering economic growth and development. One such collaboration is the growing bond between India and the United Kingdom, two nations with a shared history and commitment to joint prosperity. However, it is disheartening to see some malicious elements attempting to create a wedge between these friendly countries through the circulation of baseless rumours, which sometimes media outlets fall prey to.

A recent report by The Times (UK), quoting a Whitehall source, alleged that India had halted trade negotiations with the UK, accusing Britain of failing to condemn a Sikh extremist group that attacked the Indian High Commission in London. This misinformation, designed to strain the burgeoning relationship between India and the UK, was quickly debunked by Indian authorities. Both Indian and British diplomats confirmed that the trade talks had not been suspended and were continuing as scheduled.

As these two nations move forward with their Free Trade Deal, it is essential to recognize the immense benefits that such an agreement would bring to both countries. For India, this deal would provide access to the UK’s vast markets, which would subsequently boost exports and strengthen the nation’s economy. This increased trade would also facilitate job creation, contributing to India’s efforts in promoting economic development. On the other hand, the UK would benefit from the growing Indian market, which is experiencing rapid expansion in sectors like technology, renewable energy, and healthcare. By tapping into these sectors, British businesses would gain a competitive edge, thereby fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities in the UK. Additionally, this partnership would help the UK diversify its trade portfolio and reduce its reliance on European markets post-Brexit.

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Fresh protest outside Indian High Commission in UK

The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the “disgraceful acts” outside the Indian High Commission, calling it totally unacceptable…reports Asian Lite News

Suspected pro-Khalistan supporters on Wednesday held a fresh demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in the UK. However, unlike the earlier demonstration during which the Tricolour was taken down and an attempt made to raise the Khalistan flag, the protest this time was confined behind police barricades.

The barricades were ‘put up’ following protests by the Indian diaspora against the vandalism of the UK consulate by suspected extremist and separatist elements. Since the weekend, several uniformed officers had been patrolling the area in Aldwych and Metropolitan Police vans were stationed at India Place.

Earlier on Wednesday, barricades from outside British High Commission in New Delhi were removed.

The seniormost UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission was vandalised, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release earlier.

An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed suspected pro-Khalistan elements to enter the High Commission premises. The diplomat 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,” the MEA release said.

The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the “disgraceful acts” outside the Indian High Commission, calling it totally unacceptable.

“I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted earlier.

The desecration of the national flag last Sunday led to an unprecedented outpouring of support from the diverse Indian community settled in Britain. (ANI)

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Opposition slams British govt’s failure  

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi, said, “UK government should apologise to India and take action against the miscreants.”…reports Asian Lite News

Several opposition parties on Monday said that the responsibility of protecting the Indian embassies and High Commission abroad is of the host country and the Indian government must take up the matter diplomatically with these countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, the US etc.

The reaction from the opposition parties comes after the Indian national flag was pulled down by Khalistani supporters in London.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, “This can’t be allowed and the External Affairs Ministry should take the matter to the host countries to protect the High Commission and embassies.”

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi, said, “UK government should apologise to India and take action against the miscreants.”

Meanwhile, The Congress on Monday condemned the incident in London and blamed the UK government for failing to protect the Indian High Commission there.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The pulling down of the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London by pro Khalistani elements is totally unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The British government has failed miserably in its most basic responsibility and must be held accountable.”

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‘Attack on Indian High Commission unacceptable’

UK high commissioner Alexander W. Ellis travelling calls the incident a “disgraceful act”, one arrested for the incident…reports Asian Lite News

A man has been 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 1.50pm on Sunday, where two security guards also suffered minor injuries.

Videos on social media showed a man removing the Indian flag from the Commission’s first-floor balcony with a crowd below waving bright yellow “Khalistan” banners appearing to encourage him.

The protesters, who were demonstrating against a crackdown by security forces in Punjab on the Waaris Punjab De (WPD) group, shouted Khalistani slogans, and attempted to enter the High Commission, while one protester climbed up to the Indian High Commission balcony overlooking the street and brought down the national Tricolour.  

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.”

The incident was criticised on Twitter by London mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis.

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.” Lord Ahmad wrote: “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.”

Ellis said: “I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London – totally unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, in India a senior British diplomat in New Delhi has been summoned after a protest at the Indian High Commission in London.

The Indian foreign ministry issued a statement saying the senior diplomat had been asked to explain “the complete absence of British security”.

The Indian foreign ministry said it expected the UK government to take “immediate steps” and to put measures in place to prevent this incident reoccurring.

PA news agency said crowd members were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement.

Officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday.

Upon arrival “the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police”, said the Met.

India’s Tricolour reply

A huge Tricolour now adorns the Indian High Commission building in London, shortly after Khalistani supporters pulled down the national flag outside the building to protest the crackdown against Amritpal Singh.

A photograph of the massive national flag stretched across India House in London’s Aldwych has gone viral, with social media users applauding the move.

In September 2019, the Indian high commission’s windows were smashed after a Kashmiri separatist march threw stones and eggs into the protests. India had then termed the incident “unacceptable” and urged the UK to provide adequate security to its officials and premises.

The Khalistan movement refers to the separatist movement that seeks a Sikh nation to be carved out of India called Khalistan. The Khalistan movement waged a bloody insurgency in India for decades, primarily in Punjab, before it finally ebbed in 1990s. Though the armed element ebbed by the ’90s, there exists strong support for the movement abroad, notably in the United Kingdom and Canada, that seeks to incite trouble in India.

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Indian High Commission in UK vandalised

The Ministry of External Affairs termed the vandalism at London mission ‘unacceptable’ and demanded identification, arrest, and prosecution of those involved…reports Asian Lite News

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today 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, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on Sunday.

An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott 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,” the MEA press release said.

Demanding “immediate steps” from the UK Government, the official press release from the MEA said, “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 stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom today. He condemned the “disgraceful acts” and called it totally unacceptable.

“I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted.

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”.

UK’s Minister of State for Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs Lord Tariq Ahmed has tweeted that he was “appalled” by the attack on the Indian High Commission.

“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,” he has said.

Meanwhile, Bob Blackman, British politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Harrow East tweeted, “Disgraceful vandalism & disrespect to the flag of #India. My sympathies to the staff at the #IndianHighC Commission &  @Vdoraiswami in particular #JaiHind.”

1 held for vandalism

A man has been arrested after some pro-Khalistani groups vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and detached the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building.

Media reports suggest that the man behind the Sunday protest was identified as UK-based asylum seeker Avtar Singh Khanda, whose father Kulwant Singh Khukrana was a terrorist of the Khalistan Liberation Force and is supplying funds through Gurmit Singh Bukanwala. It was Khanda who got the radical Sikh students in the UK organised for the Sunday protest.

Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow “Khalistan” banners and a man detach the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building, the BBC reported.

Two security guards were injured in the violent protest and an investigation has been launched.

Reports said that crowd members were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement. Officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday.

Upon arrival “the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police”, Metropolitan Police (Met) said.

The force’s spokesperson said “windows were broken” and two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment.

Responding to the incident, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet: “I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today (Sunday). There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour.”

An investigation has been launched by the Met, he added.

The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as “disgraceful” and “totally unacceptable”.

In September 2019, the Indian high commission’s windows were smashed after a Kashmiri separatist march threw stones and eggs into the protests. India had then termed the incident “unacceptable” and urged the UK to provide adequate security to its officials and premises.

The Khalistan movement refers to the separatist movement that seeks a Sikh nation to be carved out of India called Khalistan. The Khalistan movement waged a bloody insurgency in India for decades, primarily in Punjab, before it finally ebbed in 1990s. Though the armed element ebbed by the ’90s, there exists strong support for the movement abroad, notably in the United Kingdom and Canada, that seeks to incite trouble in India.

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Lovegrove, India NSA discuss regional security

British High Commission said in a tweet the two NSAs discussed regional security and reiterated their commitment to transforming defence and security cooperation…reports Asian Lite News

British National Security Adviser Stephen Lovegrove met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Thursday and discussed a wide range of subjects of bilateral and global significance, government sources said.

They said the key points discussed included cooperation in cyber security, maritime and Indo-Pacific, regional security, and dealing with violent extremism.

The focus was on specific and substantial outcomes to take the partnership forward in line with the vision of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, government sources said.

Taking forward discussions between Prime Ministers Narendra and Boris Johnson, the NSAs also discussed forward-looking cooperation in the technology and defence sectors with a focus on key objectives of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the sources said.

British High Commission said in a tweet the two NSAs discussed regional security and reiterated their commitment to transforming defence and security cooperation.

“UK National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove met National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval in Delhi. As a part of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, they discussed regional security reiterated their commitment to transform defence and security cooperation.”

UK National Security Adviser also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. “UK National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove also met with External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar They held further discussions about the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India,” the British High Commission said.

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Queen holds virtual meeting with Indian High Commissioner

On Monday, the Queen met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a face-to-face meeting…reports Asian Lite News

The Queen held virtual meetings from Windsor Castle on Tuesday as she steps up her official engagements following her recovery from Covid.

The Queen welcomed Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner for India to Buckingham Palace. While Kumar appeared at Buckingham Palace, the Queen was seen via video link from Windsor Castle.

The special occasion was the latest official engagement the Queen has held since recovering from Covid.

Gaitri Issar Kumar, of the 1986 batch of the Indian Foreign Service has served in various capacities at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi and its Missions abroad to promote India’s political, trade and economic as well as cultural cooperation with friends and partners – bilateral and in multilateral fora.

Before taking over as High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, she was serving as Ambassador of India to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

Overseas, she has also served as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Paris, Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, First Secretary in the Embassy of India, Kathmandu and Second Secretary in the Embassy of India, Lisbon.

At Headquarters she was as Additional Secretary to the Hon’ble President of India, Head of the Americas Division, Establishment Division, Finance Division, Director, Northern Division in charge of Nepal and Bhutan and before that, Under Secretary for Maldives and Myanmar. In Bangalore, she served as Regional Passport Officer, Karnataka.

On Monday, the Queen met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a face-to-face meeting.

Later, during a press conference with Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Trudeau said he had held an “insightful” conversation with the 95-year-old monarch.

He said: “She was as insightful and perspicacious as ever, very interested in what is going on, asked me all sorts of questions about Canada.

“We had a really useful – for me anyway – conversation about global events, as we always do.”

The meeting was the Queen’s first in-person engagement since she contracted Covid on February 20 but she has continued to carry out light duties since recovering.

Prince Charles, 73, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 74, also tested positive but they have since recovered.

The Queen is set to attend two high-profile events this month: the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14 and the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service on March 29.

The Queen is also set to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee later this year. She will mark the occasion with a series of events between June 2 and June 5.

Marking the official date of her jubilee last month, Prince Charles praised his mother for her 70 years of service to the country.

He said in a statement: “The Queen’s devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.

“We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish. As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.”

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Indian High Commission thanks B’desh for support

It said Bangladesh stands in solidarity with its close neighbour India at this critical moment and Dhaka is ready to provide and mobilise support in every possible way to save lives…reports Asian Lite News.

The High Commission of India in Bangladesh on Thursday thanked the Dhaka government for expressing solidarity with New Delhi in its fight against coronavirus.

“Thank you @MOFA_Dhaka for expressing solidarity of #Bangladesh with #India and for support extended as #IndiaFightsCorona, tweeted the Indian High Commission.

The Commission further said that it is confident that India and Bangladesh together can overcome COVID-19.

“Confident #IndiaBangladesh friendship will help us all overcome #Covid19 together@PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar@HarshVShringla @VDoraiswami @MEAIndia,” added the Commission.

Bangladesh has offered to dispatch emergency medicines and medical equipment supplies for the people of India who are fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The supplies include about 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets, a foreign ministry press release said here today.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, on his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 26, 2021.

It said Bangladesh stands in solidarity with its close neighbour India at this critical moment and Dhaka is ready to provide and mobilise support in every possible way to save lives.

“The Government of Bangladesh expresses deep sorrow and condolences at the loss of lives in India due to the recent spread of the COVID pandemic,” read the release.

Meanwhile, India’s total active caseload has reached 30,84,814. It now comprises 16.79 per cent of the country’s total positive cases. A net incline of 1,06,105 cases recorded from the total active caseload in the last 24 hours. (ANI)

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