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Sunak condemns Indian High Commission violence as Modi says act against ‘anti-India elements’

During a telephone conversation with Narendra Modi, the prime minister condemned violence at the Indian High Commission London.

Rishi Sonak called the unrest “unacceptable” stating that extremism has “no place in Britain”.

According to Mr Modi’s office, the Indian prime Minister urged Mr Sunak “strong action against anti India elements”.

This follows an incident last month at the commission, resulting in the arrest of one person and the injuries to two security officers.

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Windows were broken and social media videos showed a man taking the Indian flag off the first-floor balcony of the building. A crowd below waved yellow “Khalistan,” banners to support him.

These men were thought to be supporting a separatist Sikh movement that seeks to create a new state in Punjab, north India.

After the incident, there have been signs that tension has developed between the two countries. India asked Britain this week for more monitoringof UK backers of the movement.

More on Narendra Modi

New Delhi also accuses them of “abusing the UK asylum system in order to support terrorist activities” in South Asia.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said that the prime minister had reiterated his condemnation against the violence at the Indian High Commission in London.

“He stressed the fact that extremism was not permitted in the UK, and updated us on the steps taken to protect the security of the Indian High Commission staff.”

Image: The flag of the Khalistan Movement during demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in London, March. Pic by AP

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The two leaders also discussed UK-India Free Trade Agreement. They “reflected on the enormous opportunities that a deal would provide to Indian and British consumers and businesses”.

Boris Johnson announced the PS1bn trade deal almost two years ago. It includes PS533m of investment from India and is expected to create over 6,000 jobs across a range of sectors, including technology and health.


Despite several rounds of negotiations, the agreement has not been signed.

The leaders claimed that there were ongoing negotiations about a free trade agreement despite the incident at Commission. This led to reports that India had “disengaged”, presumably because the UK failed to condemn Sikh separatists.

Three officials stated Monday however that negotiations on a free trade deal have not been suspended and would continue this year.

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, stated last year that she has “reservations” about Britain’s deal with India on trade because it could increase immigration to Britain.

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