Pro-Khalistan Groups Abuse Asylum Policy: From India to the UK | Latest India News

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New Delhi: The government on Wednesday raised concerns over the misuse of UK asylum status by pro-Khalistani elements to carry out terrorist activities in India while calling on UK authorities to increase surveillance and to take appropriate proactive measures at the Fifth Indo-British Home Affairs Meeting. Dialogue (HAD) held in Delhi.

Pro-Khalistan leaders and supporters at a demonstration in London. (PTI) {{^userSubrated}} {{/userSubrated}} {{^userSubrated}} {{/userSubrated}}

The government also raised the issue of the security breach last month at the Indian High Commission in London.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla led the talks on behalf of India, while the British delegation was led by Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft. senior officers from both countries.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in promoting cooperation in counterterrorism, cybersecurity and blockchains. sourcing, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, anti-India activities in the UK, including pro-Khalistan extremism, among other issues, according to a statement issued by the Home Office (MHA).

The Indian side specifically raised concerns over the misuse of UK asylum status by pro-Khalistan elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and called for better cooperation with the UK. and increased monitoring of UK-based pro-Khalistan extremists and taking appropriate proactive action. , said the MHA.

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India’s concerns, the ministry added, over the breach of security at the Indian High Commission were also highlighted.

In retaliation for a violent protest at the Indian mission in London on March 19, to which the London police reacted belatedly, the Indian government had removed the barricades placed in front of the British mission at Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri and the residence of the British High Commissioner Alex Elliss to Rajaji. Marg.

Protests by pro-Khalistan groups outside the Indian Mission in London, which began shortly after Punjab police launched a statewide manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his supporters on 18 March, emerged as a new irritant in Indo-British relations.

Demonstrators shouted anti-Indian slogans and waved Khalistan flags, while Indian officials and others draped a huge national flag from the roof of the mission. Another large Indian flag was installed outside the building.

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The Foreign Office had called Britain’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Christina Scott, after the violence at the Indian mission to register a strong protest and demand action against those involved in the vandalism.

The MHA said on Wednesday that the HAD meeting ended with both sides expressing satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and maintain momentum for enhanced cooperation on security. security between the two countries.

As HT reported last month, Amritpal Singh’s lead manager, Avtar Singh Khanda, is also based in the UK.

Additionally, several other pro-Khalistan leaders are based in London and carry out anti-Indian activities in association with Pakistan.

The Indian government has from time to time shared with the British government a list of several individuals engaged in terrorist activities from its soil.

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