A protest at the Indian High Commission in London resulted in a senior British diplomat being summoned by the Indian foreign ministry. The protest occurred on Sunday when a crowd

gathered outside the building in Aldwych, Westminster. Windows were broken, and a man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. The Metropolitan Police reported that two security guards were injured during the incident. Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow "Khalistan" banners and a man detaching the Indian flag from the building's balcony.

Khalistan is the proposed name of a Sikh state separatist group that aims to create an independent state in the Punjab region, spanning both India and Pakistan. The protest in London coincided with police in India searching for Amritpal Singh, a supporter of the Khalistan movement and self-styled preacher who has been on the run since Saturday. His supporters are accused of storming a police station last month, and he is considered a fugitive by the Indian authorities. A massive search operation, which has seen internet access suspended for millions, is continuing.

The Indian foreign ministry issued a statement asking the senior British diplomat to explain the "complete absence of British security" during the protest. The ministry also expressed its expectation that the UK government would take immediate steps to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday, and upon arrival, "the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police." The force's spokesperson reported that windows were broken, and two members of security staff sustained minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment. The man who was arrested has been bailed until mid-June, and the police investigations are ongoing.

London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, condemned the violent disorder and vandalism that took place, saying that there was no place in the city for this kind of behavior. The British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, described the incident as "disgraceful" and "totally unacceptable." Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon also expressed his outrage, saying he was "appalled," and the government would take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously. He further noted that this was a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the mission and its staff.

In conclusion, the protest outside the Indian High Commission in London resulted in a senior British diplomat being summoned by the Indian foreign ministry. The Indian government expressed its expectation that the UK government would take immediate steps to prevent a similar incident from happening again. The incident has been condemned by London's mayor, the British High Commissioner to India, and Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon. The police investigation into the incident is ongoing. Photo by Fred Romero, Wikimedia commons.