Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Prime Minister of the UK Keir Starmer, the place the 2 leaders signed a historic free commerce settlement between the 2 nations. The 2 leaders held a one-on-one assembly in addition to delegation-level talks. Whereas Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Starmer for his sturdy help and solidarity prolonged to the individuals of India within the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault, he additionally raised the difficulty of extremism.
Whereas the 2 leaders dedicated to strengthening the worldwide battle in opposition to terrorism, additionally they famous that extremism and radicalisation pose a risk to each societies, they usually agreed to additional improve bilateral cooperation to cope with the menace. Prime Minister Modi additionally sought UK’s cooperation to carry to justice financial offenders and fugitives.
“We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his authorities for his or her sturdy condemnation of the terrorist assault in Pahalgam. We’re united in our view that there will be no place for double requirements within the battle in opposition to terrorism. We additionally agree that forces with extremist ideologies should not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those that misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself should be held to account,” mentioned PM Modi.
PM Modi’s comment got here amid rising considerations over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the UK, who’ve prior to now additionally created ruckus on the Indian Excessive Fee in London.
The businesses from each international locations, he introduced, can even proceed to work in cooperation and coordination on the difficulty of extradition of financial offenders.
Briefing media later within the day, International Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned, “With regard to the actions of extremists, we shared our ideas and views. We now have famous the truth that they’re more and more energetic and have in previous and proceed to threaten the protection and safety of our diplomatic missions and personnel, inciting violence in opposition to our leaders and our diplomats…We obtained cooperation from the UK on this matter.”
The 2 leaders additionally exchanged views on world and regional problems with mutual curiosity, together with on the developments within the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine battle.
Earlier this 12 months, Khalistani goons created a ruckus exterior the Chatham Home in London, the place Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was attending an occasion. A video from the occasion, displaying a protester working in direction of the EAM’s car as he was leaving the venue, additionally went viral on social media, highlighting the safety breach.
This was not the primary time that anti-India, radical components had organised demonstrations, assaults, in addition to arson in London.
In March 2023, New Delhi had lodged a powerful protest with the UK authorities after Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian Excessive Fee in London. The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) had demanded a proof from the British authorities for the whole absence of British safety that allowed the Khalistani goons to enter the Excessive Fee premises.