London: The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, who was on a visit to Scotland, was stopped by a group of pro-Khalistan activists from entering a gurudwara in Glasgow on Friday, sources said on Saturday.
The Indian envoy did not enter the gurudwara, turned around and headed to his next engagement. While the local police were informed about the security risk to the Indian envoy, the Indian High Commission has raised this issue with the UK Foreign Office.
The incident comes amid an ongoing diplomatic row over Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” link to the Indian government in the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected the allegations by calling them “absurd” and “motivated”.
Doraiswami, who is visiting Scotland, had been invited by the gurudwara management in Glasgow but sources said a small group of protesters gathered outside the gurudwara and raised slogans, as well as prevented him from entering the premises.
The Khalistan issue has become an irritant in the India-UK ties as well with pro-Khalistan activists holding protests outside the Indian High Commission and consulates in the UK. Early this year, a group had vandalised the Indian High Commission and had tried to bring down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission premises.
New Delhi has consistently asked for the security of its diplomats based in the UK. The Indian High Commission raised the issue after some pro-Khalistan groups circulated posters with the Indian High Commissioner’s photo and name, inciting violence against him and Indian diplomats. Since then, the Indian High Commission’s security has been beefed up in London.
Agencies

KR Desk