Delhi, India: After videos of pro-Khalistan protesters pulling down the Indian flag at the Indian mission in London emerged on social media, India summoned the British deputy high commissioner on Sunday night and demanded an explanation for the complete "absence of security."
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a strong statement that India finds the UK government's disregard for the safety of Indian diplomatic facilities and staff in the UK "unacceptable."
India files a robust complaint with the UK. Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) 1679247496000 British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott was summoned to the MEA in light of the incident because High Commissioner Alex Ellis was out of Delhi, according to sources.
The MEA stated, "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 senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late today."
According to the statement, "An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the high commission premises."
According to the MEA, the diplomat was reminded of the UK government's fundamental obligations under the Vienna Convention.
The MEA stated, "India finds unacceptable the UK government's indifference to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK."
It aimed to take immediate measures to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those involved in the current incident.
The MEA went on to say that "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 stringent measures in place to prevent the recurrence of such incidents."
"I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London - totally unacceptable," High Commissioner Ellis wrote in a tweet.
Today's shameful actions against @HCI_London employees and property are completely unacceptable, and I condemn them.
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) 1679242635000 Videos from the scene showed an Indian official grabbing the flag from a protester through the first-floor window of the mission, while the protester was seen waving a Khalistani flag that was hanging off its ledge. Additionally, images of shattered windows and men climbing the India House building were circulating on social media.
Although it has yet to issue an official statement, Scotland Yard stated that it was "aware" of an incident in the vicinity.