"Prevent misuse of democratic freedoms": S Jaishankar to UK Minister
- In Reports
- 10:25 PM, May 29, 2023
- Myind Staff
On Monday, EAM S Jaishankar asked visiting British Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad to guarantee the safety of India's diplomatic missions in the UK and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms.
Jaishankar made these claims at a meeting with Lord Ahmad, the Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, in the wake of the pro-Khalistan protesters' March vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London.
Ahmad is visiting India from 27 to 31 May, with a focus on strengthening science, research, and innovation links, per a British High Commission statement.
EAM Jaishankar took to Twitter to share, "met with UK MOS Lord Tariq Ahmad today in New Delhi... underlined the obligation to ensure the security of our diplomatic missions and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms."
Jaishankar's comments coincide with the ongoing investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the March attack on the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan demonstrators.
Following a meeting with representatives from Britain in April, the Union Home Ministry gave the National Investigation Agency control of the investigation into the attack on the Indian mission in London.
A team from the NIA, India’s apex counter-terror agency, team left for London last week to probe the pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian High Commission on March 19, which involved protestors trying to take down the Indian national flag and vandalize the diplomatic premises.
The Indian foreign minister said that he also discussed issues relating to the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the UK, the situation in South Asia and Indo-Pacific, and matters pertaining to India’s G-20 presidency.
India and the UK have had nine rounds of negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA).
Since January of last year, India and the UK have been discussing an FTA with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement that will greatly improve their current trade relationship, which is predicted to be worth GBP 34 billion in 2022.
In the four quarters leading up to the conclusion of Q3 2022, India accounted for 2.1% of all UK commerce, placing it as the 12th largest trading partner for the UK.
Image source: ANI
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