As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to the United Kingdom, India is expected to raise the issues of economic offenders and Khalistani extremism, setting a firm tone for the discussions. These topics have been points of contention between the two nations, with India seeking the extradition of fugitives and expressing concerns over anti-India activities by extremist groups in the UK.
India has been actively pursuing the extradition of several high-profile economic offenders who have taken refuge in the UK, including Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. These individuals are wanted in India for alleged fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. The Indian government has repeatedly stressed the importance of their return to face justice in the Indian judicial system.
The UK has acknowledged India's concerns and has stated its commitment to cooperating on the extradition requests. However, the process has been slow and fraught with legal challenges. While UK courts have ordered the extradition of some of these fugitives, the process has been stalled due to appeals and other legal procedures.
In addition to the issue of economic offenders, India has also raised concerns about the activities of Khalistani extremists in the UK. These groups, advocating for a separate Sikh state, have been accused of engaging in anti-India activities, including violence and incitement to hatred. India has expressed concerns about the misuse of the UK's asylum status by pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and has sought better cooperation and increased monitoring of UK-based extremists.
The Indian government has conveyed its concerns to the UK government, emphasizing that such activities not only impact India but also threaten social cohesion and order in the UK itself. India has urged the UK to take strong action against these elements and prevent them from using the UK as a base for their operations.
The UK government has reiterated its condemnation of extremism and has assured India that it is taking steps to ensure the security of Indian High Commission staff. The UK has also stated that it does not welcome people who want to use its legal system to evade the law in India.
These issues have become irritants in India-UK relations, particularly after protests by pro-Khalistan groups in Britain, including an incident where the Indian flag was pulled down at the Indian High Commission in London. India has also reduced security at the UK high commission and the British envoy's residence in response to these incidents.
During the visit, PM Modi is expected to address these concerns with his UK counterpart, seeking concrete action on the extradition of economic offenders and a crackdown on Khalistani extremism. India is likely to emphasize the need for closer cooperation between the two countries to address these issues effectively.
The discussions are expected to be robust, with India pressing for tangible outcomes. The visit provides an opportunity for both leaders to address these sensitive issues and reaffirm their commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership. Besides these key issues, both leaders are also expected to discuss the Free Trade Agreement between both countries.
