Indian High Commission in UK accuses Westminster Council of disrespecting Indian flag

The Indian government summoned the "senior-most" UK diplomat and lodged a strong protest on Sunday, hours after a group of people chanting pro-Khalistan slogans took down the Indian flag at the High Commission in London.

Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, condemned the pro-Khalistan group's actions. "I condemn today's disgraceful acts against the people and premises of the @HCI London — totally unacceptable," he said on Twitter.

I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London - totally unacceptable.

— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) March 19, 2023

"The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late this evening to convey India's strong protest at the actions taken earlier in the day by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"An explanation for the complete lack of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises was demanded." She [Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott] was reminded of the UK Government's basic obligations under the Vienna Convention," it said.

"India finds the UK Government's indifference to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK unacceptable," the MEA said, adding that "it is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest, and prosecute each of those involved in today's incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents."

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