UK and India in Agreement: No Room for Double Standards in Counter-Terrorism Efforts, According to Modi
In a significant development during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK, India has expressed serious concerns over the activities of pro-Khalistan extremists based in Britain. These extremists have been involved in anti-India activities, including protests and violent acts targeting Indian diplomatic missions.
During his meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, PM Modi emphasised the need for stronger actions against pro-Khalistan extremists and condemned any double standards in fighting terrorism. The Indian government has also raised this issue at diplomatic levels, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stating that the presence of Khalistani extremists in the UK is a concern not only for India but for Britain as well, given its impact on social cohesion and order.
India is pressing for the extradition of fugitives wanted by Indian law enforcement residing in the UK, linking the broader demand for accountability and justice in cross-border extremism and economic offenses. The Indian government has continued to engage with British authorities to seek cooperation in addressing these concerns.
Despite these concerns, India received cooperation from Britain on various issues during the current visit, as stated by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. PM Modi and his British counterpart also discussed peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in West Asia.
In a veiled reference to anti-India activities of pro-Khalistan extremists in Britain, PM Modi stated that forces with extremist ideologies cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. He also thanked Sir Keir Starmer for condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
PM Modi highlighted the contribution of people of Indian origin living in the UK to the culture, sports, and public service of the UK. He referred to them as a living bridge in the relations between India and the UK. The Prime Minister also expressed condolences to the families of the over 50 British nationals who perished in the Air India plane crash last month at Ahmedabad.
On a positive note, six British universities are opening campuses in India, and the Southampton University campus was inaugurated in Gurugram (in Haryana near Delhi), as mentioned by PM Modi. Additionally, the RSS Chief is meeting 60 Islamic scholars to foster Hindu-Muslim dialogue.
In summary, India's approach is to actively flag and engage with the UK regarding pro-Khalistan extremist activities, demand their accountability under British laws, and ensure that democratic freedoms are not exploited to threaten India's sovereignty or international peace. The Indian government also expects strong condemnation and legal action from the UK against such activities.
In light of the Indo-Pacific peace discussions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, education-and-self-development initiatives still remain a priority for India, as six British universities are opening campuses in India. However, it is imperative that politics and general-news discussions around the visit also address war-and-conflicts issues, specifically the need for stronger actions against pro-Khalistan extremists in Britain, given their involvement in anti-India activities and impact on social cohesion and order. Moreover, while crime-and-justice concerns, such as the extradition of fugitives wanted by Indian law enforcement residing in the UK, are being addressed, India also expects strong condemnation and legal action from the UK against pro-Khalistan extremist activities, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach.
