'Protests Are Legal But Not Extremism': UK Envoy on Khalistani Attack on Indian Embassy | News18 G20 Town Hall

Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India on Tuesday vehemently opposed attacks by extremists on the Indian embassy and said the Khalistani extremism is not just an India problem but a United Kingdom problem as well. He added that while the UK government can allow protests, it would tolerate extremism and attacks on embassies in any form.

Ellis was speaking at CNN-News18’s G20 Town Hall where he addressed a question on a recent attack on the Indian Embassy in London by some pro-Khalistani extremists and said the rising extremism against any country is the UK government’s concern foremost concern.

“Protests are legal but extremism in any form in the UK is a problem for us, including the Khalistani extremism. It is not an Indian problem but a UK problem. We don’t believe it is okay to attack embassies,” Ellis said

In March, the High Commission of India in London was attacked by a group of about 50 persons, who committed criminal trespass, caused disrespect to the Indian National flag, damage to public property and injuries to officials of the Indian embassy.

At the time, the UK government strongly condemned “any direct attack” on the High Commission of India in London, deeming such actions “completely unacceptable.”

In another such incident, the tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in the UK’s capital was grabbed at by the protesters chanting pro-Khalistan slogans.

India then summoned the British Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi for an explanation over the complete “absence of security.” The Ministry of External Affairs in its statement had said that India finds “unacceptable” the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel.

 British High Commissioner on Economic Fugitives

On being asked about the delay in extradition of economic fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, despite clearing all the necessary legal processes, Ellis said “In case of economic fugitive, our former PM Boris Johnson said in many cases such as Mallya’s, the government has cleared the extradition order but their our other proceedings that take time and our different for every case.”

He said the UK government is committed to cooperating in such matters and is dedicated to tackling the issue of economic fugitives diligently and in many cases, the government has to wait for court approvals.

Nirav Modi, a diamond merchant, and Vijay Mallya, the former Kingfisher Airlines head, both fled to the UK after they were found to be involved in different major financial scams.

Recently, British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said that the government will not let the UK become a place where criminals can evade justice and hide. While Modi was arrested in London in March 2019 and has been fighting extradition to India ever since, Mallya, who fled to the UK in March 2016, is wanted in India over a default of Rs 9,000 crore.

Tugendhat said that the UK government is committed to extraditing fugitives to face justice and that it is working closely with the Indian government on the cases of Modi and Mallya.