Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday raised with his visiting UK counterpart Theresa May issues relating to Britain’s new visa policy, deportation of fugitives like Vijay Mallya, lalit Modi, and terrorist threat emanating from Sikh groups based in Britain.
While making India’s unhappiness clear over the new restrictive visa policy of the May Government, Modi said he was looking forward to more flexible norms for Indians. He forcefully raised the issues of restriction on visas for students and skilled workers, saying it is likely to adversely affect interests of Indians travelling to Britain.
While defending the controversial policy, May said her Government can have a relook at the new norms provided India takes back thousands of its citizens who overstay in Britain. “The UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if, at the same time, we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain…We have also agreed to establish a strategic dialogue on Home affairs issues covering visas, returns and organised crime. As part of this we will step up speed and return of those Indians who have no right to be in the UK,” May said in a media statement after the talks.
As a first step to compromise, Britain offered two visa-related facilities to India. May offered India to join “Registered Traveller Scheme” for expedited clearance of business travellers on the UK border. She also asked India to join the “Great Club” under which the Indian Government can nominate business travelers who will get fast and preferred visa and port clearance from the UK. India will become the first visa country to be offered the “Registered Traveller Scheme” and also the first one to be invited to nominate business executives to the “Great Club”.
On the extradition issue, India sought early deportation of nearly 57 fugitives whose names were given to Britain. The names include Chirstian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal, liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPl commissioner lalit Modi. While agreeing not to allow fugitives and criminals escape law, May and Modi resolved to facilitate outstanding extradition requests and enhance cooperation under the Mutual legal Assistance Treaty (MlAT). It is learnt that Britain has also given India a list of 17 fugitives whom it wants under the MlAT.
May also mentioned the case of 6 Britons lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail. She was informed that the matter is subjudiced at the moment.
During their bilateral talks, the two PMs directed the officials dealing with extradition matters from both sides to meet at the earliest to develop better understanding of legal processes and requirements of each other, identify the causes of delays and expedite pending requests. Sources said following the agreement on Monday, India expects forward movement in Mallya’s extradition from the UK, wanted in a money laundering case.
Terrorism, defence and security cooperation too were discussed at length during the talks with both Modi and May sought action against those backing terror. In a joint statement issued at the end of the bilateral talks, the UK asked Pakistan to act fast on 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and that of the Pathankot airbase in January 2016. May strongly condemned the September terrorist attack on the Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri and reiterated her Government’s commitment to help India combat terrorism. While condemning terrorism, the two leaders stressed that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever and agreed that there should be zero-tolerance to terrorism.
“I conveyed our deep concern to Prime Minister May regarding cross-border terrorism and the need for the international community to take strong action against States that support and sponsor terrorism,” Modi said.
While talking of terrorism, the Indian government specifically raised concerns over the threats from Sikh groups based in the UK. May promised that her Government will share real-time information to avert any danger. Both countries agreed to collaborate to reduce the threat from violent extremist use of the internet, including sharing of best practices to reduce radicalisation and recruitment attempts online.
In an obvious reference to Pakistan mentioning Hizbul Mujahhidin militant Burhan Wani, the two leaders in their joint statement said that there should be no glorification of terrorists or efforts to make a distinction between good and bad terrorists. They added that the fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and bring to justice terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues.
Two agreements pertaining to Intellectual property rights and ease of doing business were signed between the two sides after the talks. Modi invited British Defence firms to join hands with Indian companies under Make in India. “I encourage British companies to look at the multiple opportunities in the Indian defence sector. looking beyond trade in defence equipment, I invite them to build partnerships with Indian enterprises that focus on manufacturing, technology transfer and co-development. Security of the Cyber space, especially involving our critical infrastructure is an area of shared interest,” Modi said. Earlier, the two PMs inaugurated the India-UK Tech meet and a CEOs forum.
Cricket also made its way amid the serious talks between the two leaders when Modi asked May during lunch if she enjoyed the food. May responded by saying that she quiet liked the food to which Modi said, “We have some good cooks, but the real Cook is coming with the England cricket team.” He was obviously referring to UK cricket captain Alistair Cook. The two leaders had a good laugh as they ate lunch.