Ahead of planned rallies by pro-Khalistan separatists in the US, UK, Canada and Australia on July 8, in which Indian diplomatic missions and diplomats will be targeted. Government of India has taken steps Talking to the authorities of these countries for additional security and vigilance. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval raised the issue Pre-emptive action was requested in talks with his British counterpart in Delhi on Friday, and was the subject of calls between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and its counterparts in all partner countries. Posters in these countries have presented the protests as “Kill India” and “Khalistan Freedom” rallies, and encouraged supporters to march to Indian missions. It is a matter of concern that these posters have pictures of top Indian diplomats posted in these countries. The protests – following attacks on Indian missions, arson attempts and vandalism – signal a sharp rise in separatist activity abroad and have alarmed New Delhi. However, this should be of far greater concern to the countries that developed these groups, as these include their own citizens. The rallies planned for Saturday have alerted the respective governments – to ensure adequate protection of Indian diplomatic interests, as mandated under international conventions. In addition, it is also responsible for investigating groups threatening violence, gathering intelligence about organizations supporting them in planning or carrying out attacks, or terrorist attacks such as the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985. And their resolve to share is also tested. Above all, these governments should not use “freedom of expression” as an excuse for failing to prevent criminal acts.
While the onus remains on the four countries where pro-Khalistan attacks have increased, New Delhi should also reconsider its public diplomacy on this issue. Tit-for-tat retaliatory measures such as repeatedly calling out foreign governments for their failure to respond to Indian requests, cutting off diplomatic contact, reducing the security of the British High Commission may be demonstrative, but hardly diplomatically effective. Furthermore, with the exception of the US, the State Department has regularly called on top diplomats from designated countries to demarcate the attacks (often no distinction is made between violent attacks and graffiti). While it is appropriate for the government to be concerned about the safety of Indian citizens and Indian property, it should leave the law and order issues and policing to the sovereign government of that country. For example, New Delhi’s vocal protests on behalf of Indian expatriates and community centers targeted by pro-Khalistan groups fail to recognize that, often, victims and perpetrators are of Indian origin. Given the worrisome nature of the growing protests and threats, the need of the hour is greater cooperation between governments, not animosity, and a mechanism to share information, intelligence and discuss solutions to rising violence by such groups .