New Delhi: The Indian government Monday told its counterparts from the United Kingdom that the latter’s asylum laws were being misused by ‘pro-Khalistan’ elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India, and requested better cooperation.
In particular, India has asked for increased monitoring of UK-based ‘pro-Khalistan’ extremists, and proactive action against them.
These requests came during a discussion at the fifth India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD), held in New Delhi Wednesday. While the Indian delegation was led by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the UK delegation was led by Matthew Rycroft, permanent secretary at the Home Office. Other senior officials of both countries were also in attendance.
According to a statement released by the home ministry Wednesday, India’s concerns over the security breach at the Indian High Commission in London last month were also emphasised at the meeting.
On 19 March, a group of protesters had shouted pro-Khalistan slogans, vandalised windows and attempted to bring down the Indian flag and enter the high commission.
In a press statement at the time, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that India found the British government’s “indifference” to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK unacceptable. It added: “It is expected that the UK government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today’s incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
This comes at a time when Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh, a declared fugitive, continues to be on the run after having given the Punjab Police the slip.
Discussions on countering terror, cybercrime
According to the home ministry statement, Wednesday’s dialogue also included detailed discussions on steps to be taken towards countering terrorism and cybercrime, and how to disrupt the supply chains of drug traffickers.
“During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, anti-India activities in UK including pro-Khalistan extremism, among other issues,” the statement said.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and maintain the momentum for enhanced security cooperation between the two countries, added the statement.
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)