India Lodges Strong Protest Over Vandalism at Embassy in Croatia
India Condemns Embassy Vandalism, Takes Matter Up with Croatia
India has strongly condemned an incident of trespassing and vandalism at its embassy in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and has formally raised the matter with Croatian authorities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the act as “reprehensible” and called for swift accountability against those involved.
According to official sources, the incident reportedly involved pro-Khalistan activists who allegedly trespassed onto embassy premises and brought down the Indian national flag. The development has been viewed seriously by the Indian government, given the diplomatic sensitivity and the violation of international norms protecting foreign missions.
In an official statement, the MEA said that India has taken up the issue “strongly” with Croatian authorities at multiple levels, including through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Zagreb. The ministry emphasized that such actions are illegal and unacceptable under international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which obligates host countries to ensure the security and dignity of diplomatic missions.
“We condemn the incident of trespassing and vandalism at our Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, by anti-India elements,” the MEA stated. It further added that India has asked Croatian authorities to identify those responsible and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
The Indian government has also underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of freedom of expression to justify acts of vandalism or threats to diplomatic establishments. New Delhi expects the Croatian authorities to take all necessary steps to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to uphold their international obligations.
The incident comes amid heightened vigilance by India over the security of its diplomatic missions abroad, particularly in cases involving extremist or separatist elements targeting Indian interests.
