NEW DELHI (HRNW) – India on Wednesday asked Britain for increased monitoring of UK-based supporters of a Sikh separatist movement following a “breach of security” at its High Commission in London, an incident that has raised tension between the two countries.
At a meeting in New Delhi between senior British and Indian home ministry officials, the Indian side “specifically conveyed its concerns on the misuse of UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and requested better cooperation with UK,” an Indian government statement said.
New Delhi has been upset with Britain after protesters carrying “Khalistan” banners last month detached the Indian flag from the diplomatic mission’s building to protest against recent police action in India’s Punjab state against a Sikh separatist leader. The incident comes as the two countries are trying to strike a deal on a delayed free trade agreement.