During a visit to Scotland, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was disrupted by three individuals from outside Scotland while attempting to enter a gurdwara in Glasgow. The disruption, labeled “disgraceful” by the Indian High Commission, occurred during a planned interaction to discuss community and consular issues. Threats and abuses were hurled at the organizers, including senior community leaders and a Scottish Parliament member, prompting the High Commissioner and Consul General of India to leave the premises to avoid a potential altercation.
One of the individuals even tried to violently force open the door of the High Commissioner’s car. The Indian High Commission reported the incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police. FCDO Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the importance of the safety and security of foreign diplomats and the need for places of worship to be open to all.
The disruption comes amid tensions related to the killing of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist and allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as ongoing protests outside Indian diplomatic missions in the UK.