Pro-Khalistan supporters protest outside venue of EAM Jaishankar’s event in London

Pro-Khalistan protesters demonstrate outside EAM Jaishankar's event in UK, raising concerns about extremism and freedom of speech.

Pro-Khalistan protesters staged a demonstration outside the venue where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in a discussion held by Chatham House on Wednesday (March 5, 2025) (UK local time). The protesters had gathered outside the building, holding flags and speakers as they sloganeered.

During his ongoing visit to the United Kingdom, EAM Jaishankar had held discussions with U.K.'s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and several other senior leaders. In his meeting with U.K.'s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on Tuesday, Mr. Jaishankar noted that the two leaders held discussions on areas such as flow of talent and joint efforts between India and the UK to tackle "trafficking and extremism".He said on X, "A good meeting with Home Secretary @YvetteCooperMP today in London. We discussed the flow of talent, people to people exchanges, and joint efforts in tackling trafficking and extremism."

Earlier in January, a group of pro-Khalistan extremists had gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to stage a protest. They had also previously stormed a cinema in the London town of Harrow and attempted to stop the screening of the Kangana Ranaut starrer film Emergency.

When asked about the destructions being caused by Khalistani forces in some U.K. theatres screening 'Emergency', MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, "We consistently raise concerns with the U.K. Government regarding incidents of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India elements, freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively and those obstructing it must be held accountable"