Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his British counterpart Boris Johnson about the anti-India demonstrations over Kashmir and reports of violence against Indians outside the Indian embassy in London on Independence Day.
According to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Johnson expressed his regrets over the situation and agreed to ensure the high commission’s safety.
The protests were against the Modi government's withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Those present outside the Indian embassy in London on Independence Day allege that the demonstrators had attacked Indian women and children with bottles and eggs and that British authorities had failed to thwart them.
The Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) had earlier taken up the issue of the protests in which thousands of protesters waving Pakistani and Khalistani flags blockaded the high commission on August 15 and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined.
Modi, in a telephone call with Johnson, said vested interests were pursuing their agenda with violent means.
"In this context, he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India," the PMO said in a statement. "Prime Minister Johnson regretted the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the high commission, its personnel and visitors.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The event was largely peaceful but officers did have to react and deal with a small number of incidents as they happened. In total there were four arrests for Section 4 of the Public Order Act, affray, obstruction of police and possession of an offensive weapon."
Meanwhile, Johnson also made clear to Modi during their telephone conversation that Kashmir remains a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan as far as the UK is concerned.
"The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir as one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue," a spokesperson for Downing Street said.
