India calls “Unacceptable,” the act of Pakistani supporters, who on Tuesday vandalised the Indian High Commission’s property in London and also asked the British government to take action against the perpetrators and ensure safety and security of the Indian mission and its personnel.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in a statement, said, “We are deeply concerned by the reports of unruly demonstration by Pakistan incited elements and consequent organised vandalism of the property of the High Commission of India in London.”

Advertisement

“We consider these incidents to be unacceptable and have strongly urged the Government of UK to take action against those involved, and take necessary steps to ensure the normal functioning of our Mission and the safety and security of our personnel,” he said.

With bilateral ties between the two countries hitting its lowest point over the Kashmir issue, Pakistani supporters on Tuesday vandalised the Indian High Commission in London.

Hundreds of protesters led by British Pakistani groups held demonstration outside the Indian High Commission on Tuesday to protest against the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The protests turned violent, and the Pakistani supporters caused damage to the premises breaking windowpanes of the building by pelted the mission with stones and eggs.

Two people have been arrested in this case. The British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the violence, calling it “deplorable”.

MEA spokesperson further said, “This is the second time in a less than a month that such an incident has taken place, affecting the security and the normal functioning of our Mission.”

The incident comes after similar incident of vandalism by Pakistani protesters and Sikh separatists outside the Indian High Commission on August 15. Thousands of people, many waving Pakistani and Kashmiri flags, protested outside the Indian High Commission in London over the Indian government’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.

Protesters carried banners saying “Kashmir is Burning”, “Free Kashmir” and “Modi: Make Tea Not War”, according to a Reuters report.

Violent clashes were reported from outside the Indian High Commission when thousands of people converged there for pre-planned protests and counter-demonstrations.

The anti-India protest was organised by Pakistani groups as well as Sikh and Kashmiri separatist outfits over the government’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir.

Following India’s move on Kashmir, Pakistan decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India over the Kashmir move. It expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and suspended trade with India. Islamabad also suspended the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express services operating between Pakistan and India, hitting the people to people relationship between the two counties as well.