In a phone call with his British counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday raised the UK’s inability to provide adequate security to Indian diplomatic missions, and called for strong action against anti-India elements by the Rishi Sunak government.
The telephonic call followed the recent incident in which Khalistan supporters removed the Indian national flag at the Indian embassy in London, prompting concerns over the safety of diplomatic missions.
In response, PM Sunak acknowledged that the attack was “unacceptable” and promised to ensure the safety of Indian missions and personnel in Britain. “PM Rishi Sunak conveyed that the UK considers the attack on the Indian High Commission totally unacceptable and assured of security of the Indian Mission and its personnel.” read the official release,” reads a handout released by the PMO.
In addition to security issues, PM Modi and Sunak – the first UK PM of Indian origin – also sought the progress on the return of economic offenders who have sought refuge in the UK.
India is seeking the extradition of two fugitives: Vijay Mallya, the head of Kingfisher Airlines and self-proclaimed “King of Good Times,” who is wanted in India for defaulting on a loan of ₹9,000 crore from several banks, and fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is facing charges in the ₹11,400 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case.
The two leaders also reviewed progress on several bilateral issues as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030. They expressed satisfaction with recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation, particularly in the trade and economic sectors.
PM Modi invited PM Sunak to the G20 Summit, which is scheduled to take place in India in September, with the latter expressing his support for India’s ongoing G20 presidency.
He also conveyed Baisakhi greetings to PM Sunak and the Indian community in the UK. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and maintain close communication.
“I was pleased to speak with Rishi Sunak and extended Baisakhi greetings to him and to the vibrant Indian community in the UK. We reviewed progress on a number of issues to further strengthen India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which includes the Free Trade Agreement (FTA),’’ tweeted PM Modi.