Indian External Affairs Minister Raises Concerns on Pro-Khalistani Extremism During UK Visit

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently concluded his five-day visit to the UK, where he raised India's concerns about pro-Khalistani extremism and urged UK leaders to be cautious of the misuse of freedom of expression and speech. He met with top UK officials, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and discussed the positive momentum in strengthening the India-UK relationship and the progress of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations. During his meetings with UK Home Secretary James Cleverly and National Security Adviser Tim Barrow, Jaishankar highlighted India's concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism and its impact on the safety of Indian diplomats in the UK. He emphasized the importance of protecting diplomatic missions and taking a firm stance against violence and extremism.

Jaishankar also discussed the delay in extraditing Indian fugitives such as Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya with the UK government. He stressed the need for collaboration on combating violent extremism and radicalism and deepening dialogue on shared concerns. Regarding the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, Jaishankar acknowledged substantial progress but refrained from predicting the final outcome. He expressed confidence in the commitment of both sides to reach a favorable agreement.

The visit further solidified the historical ties between India and the UK and provided impetus for bilateral cooperation in various areas within the framework of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Roadmap 2030. Jaishankar highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bilateral relationship, citing discussions with opposition leaders Keir Starmer and David Lammy. Overall, the visit was deemed timely and crucial in developing an understanding between the two countries. The warm reception and engagement from UK leaders further emphasized the closeness of the ties between India and the UK.