S Jaishankar: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday meet British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and discussed regional and global issues, at the ASEAN, following Ministerial Conference in Jakarta.
Jaishankar raised further concerns regarding the security of Indian diplomats during discussions. These concerns arose following an incident where a group of pro-Khalistan protesters vandalized the Indian High Commission in London on March 19. The protesters removed the Indian flag and replaced it with a Khalistani flag. In addition, threats were made against Indian diplomats, and posters promoting a pro-Khalistan rally scheduled for July 8 in London emerged.
Read More: EAM Jaishankar highlights ASEAN’s importance in India’s Act East policy in Jakarta
The rally is organized in memory of Harjit Singh Nijjar, also known as Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was killed in a targeted shooting in Surrey, Canada, on June 18.
The posters included threats towards Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, and Shashank Vikram, the Consul General of India in Birmingham.
Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly condemned any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London, emphasizing that such actions are completely unacceptable.
“Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made clear to @VDoraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount,” tweeted Cleverly.
Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable.
We have made clear to @VDoraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) July 6, 2023
After meeting with the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday, Jaishankar took to his Twitter and said, “A broad ranging discussion today with British Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Spoke about the agenda of the ARF, including regional and global issues. Jointly assessed the progress in our bilateral exchanges. Brought up concerns pertaining to the security of our diplomats.”
A broad ranging discussion today with British Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly.
Spoke about the agenda of the ARF, including regional and global issues. Jointly assessed the progress in our bilateral exchanges. Brought up concerns pertaining to the security of our diplomats. pic.twitter.com/uBp3dd9H62
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) July 13, 2023
However, EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday described ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as a crucial pillar of India’s Act East Policy, saying that this plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific.
While speaking his pieace at opening session of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference in Jakarta, Jaishankar said, “ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India’s Act East policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. A strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”
The External Affairs Minister embarks on a six-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand from July 12, concluding his overseas engagements in these two countries on July 18.
