New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs official Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, during a media briefing on Thursday, emphasised India’s efforts in addressing concerns pertaining to the safety of diplomats and their facilities in the UK. He underscored that New Delhi has consistently raised issues concerning the security of diplomats, and individuals linked to cases of interest to India’s security and legal systems.
“We have been taking up concerns about the security of our diplomats and our premises and other elements related to people there who are, wanted by our security or our judicial systems and we will continue to do that. And that’s an ongoing conversation. I don’t want to get into individual persons,” Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing.
“In the UK, there was a protest on 2nd October, and we certainly have taken up our concerns on the security of diplomats and premises there with the UK authorities. And this has been an ongoing thing. The issue is about security, about ensuring that our diplomats are able to function normally and our premises are safe and that the community is not targeted,” he added.
Last week, the planned interaction of Indian High Commissioner to UK Vikram Doraiswami by the Gurudwara Committee in Glasgow was deliberately disrupted by three people, all from areas outside Scotland. The Indian High Commission in London issued a statement on Saturday and said the interaction was to discuss community and consular issues.
“On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of the Scottish Parliament,” the statement said.
The Indian High Commission said it reported the incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police. It said multiple community organisations, including the organisers, have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, Scotland Police said it responded to a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow around 1:05 p.m. (local time) on Friday, adding that an inquiry is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Glasgow Gurdwara “strongly” condemned the incident.
(With ANI Inputs)