Economic fugitives not welcome in Britain: UK PM Johnson


PTI, Apr 23, 2022, 11:02 AM IST

New Delhi: India and the UK on Friday decided to set up a task force on countering extremist elements such as pro-Khalistan groups operating in Britain, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserting that his country does not tolerate such elements.

After holding wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Johnson also said that economic fugitives seeking to use the British legal system to evade the law in India are not welcome in Britain.

At a press conference, Johnson said the UK government has ordered the extradition of economic offenders wanted in India but legal technicalities are making the process difficult.

Asked about concerns over reports of human rights violations and the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, Johnson said the UK raises these issues in a ”friendly way” but added that India is a great democracy and it has constitutional protection for its communities.

”On our relations with India and how we deal with questions around human rights and democratic values, of course, we have these conversations but the advantage of our friendship is that we can have them, and we can have them in a friendly and private way,” he said.

”It’s very important to realise that India has constitutional protections for communities. India is very very different from autocracies around the world. It is a great democracy. It is a stunning shining fact that 1.35 billion people live under a democracy, and that’s something we should celebrate,” Johnson said.

”It offers, I say, an opportunity for closer cooperation and partnership… that doesn’t mean I am not going to raise tough, consular questions,” he said.

To a question on concerns in India over Khalistani elements operating from the UK, Johnson said his country has a ”very strong view” on extremist groups.

”We have a very strong view on it in the UK. We don’t tolerate extremist groups setting up in the UK with a view to threatening other countries, threatening India.

”What we have done particularly as a result of this visit is set up an anti-extremism task force to see what more we can do to help India in that aspect,” he said. Asked about the extradition of economic offenders Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya to India, Johnson said ”legal technicalities” have made it ”very difficult”.

”I think there are legal technicalities that have made it very, very difficult but what I can tell you is the UK government has ordered their extradition and we have said that from our point of view, we want them to be taken back to India for trial,” he said.

”We don’t welcome people who want to use our legal system to evade the law here in India,” the British prime minister said.

At a separate media briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India has been pursuing the issue of economic offenders with the UK.

”Our objective is to bring back those economic fugitives who are wanted in India to face justice in the country. The matter did come up in today’s talks. It was conveyed that this is a high priority,” he said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theatre debuts

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Perth Test, Day 4: Siraj removes Smith as Australia go into lunch at 104 for five

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit nets following arrival in Perth, will play two-day game in Canberra

UP: Misled by ‘Google Maps’, car falls into river from incomplete bridge, 3 dead

Related Articles More

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Independent winner extends unconditional support to BJP

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Those rejected by people trying to control Parliament: PM Modi

SC should take cognisance: Priyanka on Sambhal issue

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Karnataka HC rejects plea to quash FIR in Rs 69 lakh Amazon scam case

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theatre debuts

Independent winner extends unconditional support to BJP

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.