The prime minister has condemned recent violence at the Indian High Commission in London during a phone call with his counterpart Narendra Modi.
Rishi Sunak branded the unrest as “unacceptable” and said extremism had “no place in the UK”.
Mr Modi’s office said the Indian prime minister called on Mr Sunak to take “strong action against anti-India elements”.
It comes after an incident last month where violence broke out at the commission, leading to the arrest of one man and injuries to two security guards.
Windows were smashed and videos on social media showed a man removing the Indian flag from the building’s first-floor balcony with a crowd below waving yellow “Khalistan” banners appearing to encourage him.
The group were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement that wants to create a new breakaway state in Punjab, north India.
There have been signs of tension between the two countries following the incident, with India this week asking Britain for increased monitoring of UK-based backers of the movement.
New Delhi has also accused them of “abusing” the UK asylum system to help “terrorist activities” in the South Asia country.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister reiterated his condemnation of the unacceptable violence outside the Indian High Commission in London.
“He stressed that extremism had no place in the UK and updated on the steps being taken to ensure the security of Indian High Commission staff.”
A flag of the Khalistan movement during a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in London in March. Pic: AP
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Also during the phone call, the two leaders discussed the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and “reflected on the huge opportunities a deal would offer to Indian and British businesses and consumers”.
The £1bn free trade deal was first announced by Boris Johnson nearly two years ago and includes £533m in investment from India, which is expected to create more than 6,000 jobs in sectors including health and technology.
However, despite several rounds of talks, the deal has not yet been formally signed.
The leaders said there were “ongoing negotiations” about a free trade deal despite the incident at the commission, which led to reports that India had “disengaged” from the discussions after the UK failed to condemn Sikh separatists.
But three officials said on Monday that talks on a free trade agreement have not been suspended and will continue this year.
Last year, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she had “reservations” about Britain’s trade deal with India because it could increase immigration to the UK.
