Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday said that the issue of Khalistani extremists and related groups is a matter of concern and has been brought to the attention of partners in the United Kingdom.
Discussions have also taken place between India and the UK regarding the extradition of fugitives to India, Misri said.
"The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists and bodies close to these people is again something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK; we will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us, but it should be a matter of concern to our partners as well, because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these other countries as well," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a press briefing held ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK and Maldives which begins tomorrow.
Regarding the issue of fugitives in the UK, Foreign Secretary Misri stated that there is a legal process for handling requests related to fugitives under Indian law. He noted that India is working "very closely" with the UK on this matter.
"There have been several cases of fugitives connected to Indian law and justice in the UK. These issues have been actively discussed between both countries, and we continue to advocate for the return of these fugitives to India. There is a legal process that such requests must go through in the UK, and we are diligently following up on these matters with our partners there."
During the briefing, Foreign Secretary Misri mentioned that this would be Prime Minister Modi's fourth visit to the UK. "Although this visit is brief, it will provide an opportunity for both leaders to review the full scope of our bilateral relationship."
He added, "As you know, the India-UK partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, and since then, we have seen regular high-level political exchanges. Both sides remain committed to elevating this partnership further, in addition to summit-level engagements."
The visit to the UK is at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while the state visit to the Maldives is at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu.
(With agency inputs)
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
