New Delhi (TIP)- Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought “strong action against anti-India elements” in the UK and progress in the return of economic offenders who have taken refuge in Britain, during a phone conversation with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Thursday, April 13.
The two leaders also agreed on the need to speedily conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) between both countries, according to an Indian readout of the conversation, which came against the backdrop of anger in New Delhi over the activities of pro-Khalistan groups in Britain.
Sunak and Modi reviewed progress in several bilateral issues that are part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030 and expressed satisfaction at recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation, especially in the trade and economic sectors, the readout said.
Modi “raised the issue of security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK and called for strong action against anti-India elements by the UK government”, according to the readout.
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.
The Indian readout said Modi raised the “issue of economic offenders who have sought refuge in the UK” and “sought progress on the return of these fugitives so that they can appear before the Indian judicial system”.
The readout didn’t provide details on the offenders. The list of high-profile fugitives in the UK wanted by Indian authorities, whose current location are known and against whom extradition proceedings are either completed or are at an advanced stage, includes former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Sanjay Bhandari, Iqbal Mirchi’s wife Hajra Memon and their sons Asiq Iqbal Memon and Junaid Iqbal Memon. Modi and Sunak further “agreed on the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the two countries”, according to the readout.
Source: HT