In a significant development marking the diplomatic victory of India, the UK government has expedited efforts to tackle pro-Khalistan extremism. The British government has started working on a more comprehensive strategy to combat Khalistani terror. As part of the efforts, the UK government has allocated new funds to enhance the country’s capability to deal effectively with this problem. UK security minister Tom Tugendhat shared this information with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting in New Delhi.
Tugendhat said that the outlay of £95,000 will enhance the British government’s understanding of the threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremism and complement work being done by the India-UK joint extremism task force. Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that during the meeting with the UK minister, Jaishankar seriously voiced his concerns over the safety and security of Indian envoys posted in Indian High Commission to UK. Pro-Khalistan extremism is an issue which is an irritant in India-Britain ties in recent months.
The funding will also improve the UK’s ability to identify and disrupt extremist narratives and activity, said a statement from the UK high commission. Tugendhat is in India on a three-day visit to attend the G20 anti-corruption ministerial meeting.
Violent protests by Khalistani elements outside the Indian high commission in London, including one in March when protestors pulled down the national flag, and a poster campaign in recent weeks that has targeted senior Indian diplomats had angered the Indian government. The Indian side lodged a strong protest against these activities, prompting the British leadership to offer assurances about the safety of Indian missions and diplomatic staff.
Tugendhat, whose visit is also aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation on security initiatives, said, “A deeper partnership between our two nations means we can more effectively tackle the security threats we both face. I’m committed to working together to enhance our understanding of and capabilities against extremism – whatever form it takes.”
The British high commission’s statement said the UK government remains committed to working with its Indian counterpart “following the unacceptable attack against the Indian high commission in London in March 2023”. The security of the Indian mission and its staff “are of utmost importance” to the UK, which takes the “protective security of the Indian high commission extremely seriously”.