The Times reported on Monday, citing British government sources, that India has “disengaged” from trade talks with Britain after accusing it of failing to condemn the Sikh separatist group that attacked the Indian High Commission in London last month.
A Whitehall source told The Times, “Indians do not want to discuss trade until they see a very public demonstration of British condemnation of Khalistan extremism.”
The incident occurred on March 19, when protesters carrying ‘Khalistan’ banners mounted a demonstration at the High Commission and removed an Indian flag from the first-floor balcony to protest recent police actions in Punjab.
Khalistan refers to a nonexistent independent Sikh state desired by certain organizations.
Subsequently, India summoned the most senior British diplomat in New Delhi to condemn “separatist and extremist elements” actions against the country’s mission in London.
In addition, British foreign minister James Cleverly stated that the nation will review the security at the Indian High Commission in London due to “unacceptable acts of violence” against mission personnel.
After the acts of violence, Cleverly also stated that a police investigation was ongoing and that the country would make the necessary changes to ensure the safety of the Indian mission’s personnel.
Protests erupted outside Indian consulates in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States after the Punjab police launched a manhunt for Sikh separatist Amritpal Singh. Singh has risen to prominence in recent months for calling for the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland, the fight for which sparked deadly violence in the 1980s.
Punjab police have been searching for Singh since March 18, when they shut down mobile internet in the 30 million-person northern state with a Sikh majority, arrested more than 100 of his adherents, and prohibited gatherings of more than four people in certain areas.
