The visiting Indian delegation in London was taken by surprise by the presence of Nepali protesters within audible distance of 10 Downing Street on Thursday, forcing India’s Prime Minister’s Office to seek a report on the “scale of the protest” from the Indian High Commission in London, according to the Indian Express newspaper.

“While protesters on Gujarat riots and Sikh groups were expected, what surprised us were Nepali protesters. The High Commission will send a report,” the Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

Nepalis living in London had gathered near 10 Downing Street where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart David Cameron.

Modi arrived in Britain on November 12 for a three-day official visit.

The protesters shouted “Back Off India” and held placards saying “remove blockade”. The protesters also criticised the UK for “rolling out the red carpet” for Modi and said Cameron should pressure him to stop blockading roads to Nepal, the Indian Express added.

The Nepali protesters were supported by UK-based Sikhs. The scene outside the British Parliament and Prime Minister’s office looked chaotic, while the security had been beefed up in the area.

The joint statement issued at the end of Modi’s UK visit, however, included reference to Nepal.

“The two Prime Ministers stressed the importance of a lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal that will address the remaining areas of concern and promote political stability and economic growth,” the joint statement said, adding: “The two leaders also expressed their hope that the National Reconstruction Authority would begin to function at the earliest to facilitate post-earthquake reconstruction.”

The UK Chapter of Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Prabasi Nepali Manch-UK, and Nepali Janasamparka Samiti UK, among three dozen Nepali organisations, had taken part in the demonstration, which began at around noon, to express solidarity with the protest.

The organisers said the protest was organised to draw the attention of the international community to the crisis in Nepal due to India’s blockade and raise the transit right issue of Nepal as a landlocked country.