India, Jan. 23 -- India on Thursday strongly condemned the trespassing and vandalism at its embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, calling the incident a serious breach of diplomatic norms.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said anti-India elements were involved and urged Croatian authorities to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable. The MEA emphasised that the responsibility to protect diplomatic premises lies with the host nation under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which ensures the inviolability of embassies and the safety of diplomats.

The incident was carried out by Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of the US-based banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, raised a...