By India Blooms News Service Mar 23, 2023
New Delhi: The security deployment outside British High Commissions office and the UK envoys residence in New Delhi has been downgraded, apparent from the removal of multiple barricades placed earlier, media reports said.
The move is being viewed as Indias silent but obvious message to the UK that New Delhi has not taken the security lapse at the Indian High Commission in London lightly.
However, there has been no official confirmation from the MEA, Delhi Police, or other security agencies about the thinning of security arrangements.
Following a crackdown on Khalistani separatist leader, Amritpal Singh, last Sunday, a bunch of his supporters attacked the India House building in the UKs London and one of them climbed onto the flagpole above the door and brought down the Indian flag.
The complete absence of security allowed the Khalistani supporters easy access to the Indian Mission and attack the Tricolour.
As there was no security at the spot, a staffer of the Indian High Commission confronted the separatists all by himself. Not only did the Indian Embassy official snatch the Tricolour from the hands of the Khalistani protester, hanging from the first-floor window of the building, but also threw away the yellow Khalistan banner in the mans hand.
The bright yellow Delhi Police barricades, a symbol of VIP security, are conspicuous by their absence. The report said they vanished on Tuesday night around 10:30 pm.
Barricades are places to create a line of security and block ready access to high-security buildings. But those have gone for the moment.
The report said the security in all British establishments across India will be reduced.
British High Commission refrained from commenting as the matter is related to security, but the officials of the British High Commission told India Today that they were aware of the barricade removal and it is being perceived as a security downgrade.
The government has been tight-lipped on the matter.
However, the move triggered a political attack by BJP leader Khushbu Sundar on her former party Congress. Police Barricading and outside security removed from British High Commissions office in India. Sometimes tough measures have to be taken to send across messages ambiguously! Would @INCIndia have dared to do this? she tweeted.
Police Barricading and outside security removed from the British High Commissions office in India. Some times tough measures have to be taken to send across some messages unambiguously! Would @INCIndia have dared to do this? pic.twitter.com/cV934cYwHw
KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) March 22, 2023
On Sunday night, India summoned British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and demanded an explanation for the complete absence of British security. In no indirect terms, the British diplomat was told that India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK.