With bilateral ties hitting its lowest point over the Kashmir issue, Pakistani supporters on Tuesday vandalised the Indian High Commission in London.
As the protests turned violent, the Pakistani supporters caused damage to the premises breaking windowpanes of the building.
The Indian High Commission, on its official Twitter handle shared a picture of a damaged windowpane of the building. and tweeted: “Another violent protest outside the Indian High Commission in London today, 3 September 2019. Damage caused to the premises.”
Another violent protest outside the Indian High Commission in London today, 3 September 2019. Damage caused to the premises. @foreignoffice @UKinIndia @MEAIndia @DominicRaab @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia @tariqahmadbt pic.twitter.com/2sv0Qt1xy8
— India in the UK (@HCI_London) September 3, 2019
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has termed the attack as “unacceptable”.
I utterly condemn this unacceptable behaviour and have raised this incident with @metpoliceuk to take action.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 3, 2019
The attack comes days after India raised concerns regarding the protests outside the Indian High Commission on August 15 in the UK.
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 abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate 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.
In a series of retaliatory measures, Islamabad suspended the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express services operating between Pakistan and India.