India raises flag-ripping incident with UK |
India has expressed its concerns to U.K. authorities at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office after an Indian flag was torn down in Parliament Square, where a protest by supporters of Khalistan and an independent Kashmir took place on Wednesday — the day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s bilateral meetings with Britain in London. A source said that British authorities had responded with an immediate apology for the failure of police, who were present at the scene, to respond swiftly enough and have promised action would be taken, after India raised its concerns almost immediately after the incident on Wednesday afternoon. The flag, which stood alongside 52 others from Commonwealth nations, on Parliament Square ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM), has also been replaced since. The issue of British-based groups supporting separatist movements in India has been a running issue in bilateral relations. Last year, India sent Britain a note verbale over its concerns about a planned rally in Birmingham to commemorate the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.Ahead of CHOGM, and amid news that the rallies were due to take place, India had warned Britain of the potential for disruptive, violent action, a source said.
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