By Jitendra Bahadur Singh: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will now ptobe last month’s incident of pro-Khalistani protests in front of the Indian High Commission in London, sources said.

According to the details, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has allowed the NIA to take over the investigation, which was earlier under the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.

The NIA has also asked the Special Cell to provide them with an official copy of the FIR registered in the case.

INDIA-UK HOME AFFAIRS DIALOGUE

The home ministry has spoken to the government of the UK over the recent violent clashes at the former’s mission in London. According to the details, Khalistani activities and protests were discussed between the ministries of both countries, during the 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue.

The dialogue, held in New Delhi, was led by the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, while the UK delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft.

During the meeting, India asked the United Kingdom to keep a close watch on Khalistani activities in their country and accordingly, take action against the accused.

India also said Khalistani activists were plotting terror activities in India.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and explored opportunities and synergies in furthering cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition and anti-India activities in the UK.

The Indian side particularly conveyed its concerns over the misuse of UK asylum status by pro-Khalistan elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India.

India also called for better cooperation with the UK and enhanced monitoring of UK-based pro-Khalistan extremists.

Last month, the tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London was grabbed at by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans, leading to an arrest related to the violent disorder.

PM MODI CALLS FOR STRONG ACTION AGAINST ANTI-INDIA ELEMENTS

On Thursday, April 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of the security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the United Kingdom in a telephonic conversation with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and called for strong action against anti-India elements.

About the vandalism at the Indian High Commission last month, Sunak conveyed to Modi that the UK considers the attack “totally unacceptable” and assured the security of the Indian Mission and its personnel, a statement read.

The two leaders also reviewed the progress on a number of bilateral issues as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, particularly in the trade and economic sectors.

They expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors and agreed on the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, the statement said.

During the talks, Sunak reiterated the UK’s full support for India’s ongoing G20 presidency.

Modi also conveyed his greetings to Sunak, who is of Indian origin, and the Indian community in the UK on the eve of Baisakhi.

PM Modi invited Sunak for the G20 Summit to be held in September 2023. The British leader appreciated the progress made under India’s Presidency of the G20 and reiterated the UK’s full support to India’s initiatives and their success, the release said.