Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a telephone conversation on Tuesday with his British counterpart Boris Johnson, drew his attention to vandalism of the Indian High Commission by a violent Pakistan-led mob on August 15. The British PM regretted the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the mission, its personnel and visitors.
During the phone call, Modi raised the issue of challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means.
On August 15, Indians and people of Indian origin gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to celebrate the 73rd Independence Day of India were abused, and pelted with eggs and water bottles by a huge mob of Pakistan-sponsored protesters, who included separatist Sikhs.
Stones were thrown at the Indian mission, and the Indian tricolour was damaged by the Pakistan-led mob that was protesting India’s revoking the special status of Kashmir. The police were outnumbered by the protesters.
Also pointing out that terrorism had plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe, Modi stressed the importance of effective steps to ward off the threats posed by radicalisation, violence and intolerance, particularly in the context of the expanding footprint of terrorist organisations such as ISIS, a statement said.
According to a Downing Street readout of the conversation, Johnson told Modi that Kashmir is a bilateral issue.
The British Prime Minister “made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally”.
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