- PM Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak had a phone conversation on Thursday.
- Narendra Modi urged his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak, to take a strong stance against anti-India elements.
- The conversation between the two leaders covered a range of bilateral issues including security of Indian diplomatic establishments. Modi called for strong action against anti-India elements by the UK Government.
- Sunak assured Modi of the security of the Indian Mission and its personnel and conveyed that the UK considers the attack on the Indian High Commission totally unacceptable.
- Modi discussed the issue of economic offenders who have sought refuge in the UK and requested progress on their return to India.
- Modi invited Sunak to the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi in September, which was accepted with enthusiasm.
PM Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak had a phone conversation on Thursday. Narendra Modi urged his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak, to take a strong stance against anti-India elements.
The conversation between the two leaders covered a range of bilateral issues, including the security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK following recent attacks by pro-Khalistan protestors. Modi raised concerns over the safety of Indian missions in the UK, citing the recent vandalism of the Indian mission in London and attacks on the national flag. Modi has expressed concerns about protests by Khalistani separatists outside the Indian High Commission in London and elsewhere in US and Canada. He called for strong action against anti-India elements by the UK Government. In response, Sunak assured Modi of the security of the Indian Mission and its personnel and conveyed that the UK considers the attack on the Indian High Commission totally unacceptable.
Protests in Britain by pro-Khalistan groups, which began after Punjab Police launched a manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his followers, have become a fresh irritant in India-UK ties. After a pro-Khalistan activist pulled down the Indian flag at the mission in London last month, the foreign ministry summoned the senior-most British diplomat in New Delhi to demand action against those involved in vandalism. The Indian side also reduced security at the UK high commission and the British envoy’s residence.
Sunak reiterated his condemnation of the “unacceptable violence” outside the Indian mission in London and “stressed that extremism had no place in the UK”, according to a statement from the UK Prime Minister’s Office. Sunak updated Modi on steps being taken to ensure the security of Indian high commission staff.
Modi also discussed the issue of economic offenders who have sought refuge in the UK and requested progress on their return to India so that they can face the Indian judicial system. They expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030. They also agreed on the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the two countries , according to an Indian readout on the conversation, which came against the backdrop of anger in New Delhi over the activities of pro-Khalistan groups in Britain.
Modi invited Sunak to the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi in September, which was accepted with enthusiasm. Sunak appreciated progress made under India’s G20 presidency and reiterated the UK’s support to India’s initiatives.
The two leaders conveyed their greetings to each other and the Indian community in the UK on the eve of Baisakhi and agreed to remain in contact.
(With Inputs from agency)
