"Khalistanis are using you", India warns Britain

• April 14, 2023

India on Wednesday asked Britain to curb the anti-national activities of Khalistani supporters. India has clearly said that Khalistanis are using Britain and Europe for their own interests. India conveyed its concerns to the UK during the fifth India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD) held in Delhi.

India has said that pro-Khalistani elements are abusing the asylum provided by the European country to aid and abet terrorist activities in the country.

The Indian delegation, led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requested for better cooperation with the UK and increased monitoring and appropriate proactive measures against UK-based pro-Khalistan extremists, officials said. The UK delegation was led by Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft. Senior officials of the two countries also participated in the meeting. During the meeting, both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and discussed issues such as counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chain, drug trafficking, immigration, extradition.

The two countries also discussed opportunities and coordination to advance cooperation in countering anti-India activities in the UK, including pro-Khalistan extremism, among other issues. The Indian side expressed concern over the misuse of asylum provided by the UK to aid and abet terrorist activities in India, particularly by pro-Khalistan elements, the home ministry said. Further, better cooperation with the UK has been requested to increase surveillance and take appropriate proactive measures on pro-Khalistan extremists based there. India also conveyed its concerns to the UK about security breaches at the Indian High Commission.

India once again expressed its concerns to Britain after it was reported two days ago that India-UK trade talks have stalled due to recent attacks in London linked to pro-Khalistan groups. Citing a senior British government source, The Times claimed that the Indian government had "stalled" trade talks that began in January last year.

Reports say that the Indian government has made it clear that there will be no progress other than strict action and public condemnation against the Khalistan supporters responsible for pulling down the tricolor and injuring two officials from the Indian High Commission in London on March 19.

Indian officials on Monday denied these reports. British media reports say that India has called off talks with the UK on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). An Indian government source in New Delhi said the news was baseless. The source said, the next round of formal talks may be held in London from April 24.

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