NEW DELHI: The ministry of exterior affairs on Monday welcomed the UK authorities’s resolution to impose sanctions on pro-Khalistan extremist networks linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa, terming it a major step in strengthening international efforts in opposition to terrorism and illicit monetary flows.Responding to queries on the weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi appreciates London’s motion focusing on people and entities concerned in anti-India extremist actions.He added that such people pose a risk not solely to India and the UK however to folks internationally.“We welcome the steps which were taken by the UK authorities to sanction anti-India extremist entities, which strengthen the worldwide battle in opposition to terrorism and extremism and assist to curb illicit monetary flows and transnational crime networks,” Jaiswal stated.“Such people not simply pose a risk to India and the UK however to folks internationally. We look ahead to working carefully with the UK facet to additional strengthen our counter-terrorism and safety cooperation,” he stated.Final week, the UK authorities imposed sanctions aimed toward disrupting the funding mechanisms of the pro-Khalistan terror group Babbar Khalsa—marking the primary time such measures have been utilized in opposition to the group.The UK introduced an asset freeze and director disqualification in opposition to Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who’s suspected of belonging to organizations concerned in terrorism in India.An asset freeze in opposition to Babbar Akali Lehar, for selling and supporting the identical terrorist group, has additionally been introduced.In accordance with the UK treasury division, Rehal is concerned in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar’s terrorist actions, together with selling and inspiring, finishing up recruitment actions for, and offering monetary providers to, in addition to supporting and aiding these organizations, together with by means of buying weapons and different navy materiel.The federal government additionally stated that Babbar Akali Lehar is related to, and concerned in, Babbar Khalsa’s terrorist actions by selling and inspiring and finishing up recruitment actions for the group and itself.All funds and financial assets within the UK owned, held or managed by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar are actually topic to an asset freeze, and Rehal can be topic to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from appearing as a director of an organization or instantly or not directly collaborating in or caring within the promotion, formation or administration of an organization.The counter-terrorism (sanctions) (EU Exit) rules 2019 (the rules) enable the UK treasury to freeze belongings and impose restrictions on people and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. Babbar Khalsa is a proscribed terrorist group.