Activists raise pro-Khalistan slogans outside the Indian High Commission in London on 8 July. (Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP)
It is seen as a diplomatic victory for India after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held several rounds of talks with his counterparts in UK and USA and managed to get commitments.
A small number of people participated in the pro-Khalistan ‘Azadi Rally’ in America and Britain. Protests were organized in front of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the Indian High Commission in London by so-called anti-India groups “backed” by Pakistan’s ISI.
It is seen as a diplomatic victory for India after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held several rounds of talks with his counterparts in UK and USA and managed to get commitments.
Despite wide publicity, the rally failed to gather more than 50 protesters in San Francisco, where Khalistani activists attempted to burn down the Indian consulate on 2 July. In this small group, more than 15 people were young asylum seekers.
The same happened in London, where designated terrorist Paramjit Singh Pamma broadcast the event on all social media platforms. But it is important to note that even his presence on social media was negligible.
Controversial posters inciting violence were used at the rally in London with pictures of Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Consul General of India in Birmingham Dr. Shashank Vikram. Police presence was evident throughout the protest, which ended sooner than expected.
Earlier this week, amid anti-India attacks and posters of Khalistani extremists emerging on social media channels, the UK government announced that any direct attack on the Indian High Commission in London is unacceptable. The High Commission building was targeted by Khalistani extremists, who tried to uproot the Indian tricolor and broke windows in March.
This comes after Khalistani extremists threatened Indian envoys and senior diplomats in different parts of the world. Prior to the rally, posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats had appeared in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
In a message to countries like Canada, Australia, the US and the UK on Thursday (July 6), India said that those who advocate violence or legitimize terrorism in the name of freedom of expression should not be given space. New Delhi also said that the security of Indian envoys is a top priority and the issue has been taken up with the countries concerned.
(with PTI inputs)