GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd March. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday that the UK’s police and security services are paying close attention to the attacks on Indians and that any illegal activity would be prosecuted.
“We take the security of people very seriously, our police and security services always pay close regard to such activities and if it is an illegal activity, we act upon it,” Cleverly said.
He also made it clear to the Indians that the UK is a welcoming place for them.
Pro-Khalistan groups have repeatedly staged violent protests outside India’s High Commission in London. On February 18, anti-India chants were heard outside the Indian High Commission in London. Outside the Indian High Commission, Khalistani supporters chanted both pro-Khalistani and anti-India slogans.
Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, former president of the Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), criticized the Pro-Khjalistani group on Twitter saying, “KhaListanis raising anti-India-Modi slogans outside Indian High Commission in London. They’re still living in their fairyland they can benefit themselves with these sort of protests! They’re doing harm to themselves only.”
Anti-India sloganeering by Khalistani supporters in London comes just days after some Khalistani elements targeted a Hindu Temple in Canada.
Meanwhile, in Delhi, in an interview, Cleverly said, “We want to see more connections with Indians and we want to strengthen the bilateral relations in the coming future.”
He further said that India’s G20 presidency was quite exciting, it has fantastic opportunities. This is a great opportunity to talk about a sustainable economic agenda and green agenda.
Speaking on India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), James Cleverly said that the UK does much business with India and is working extensively. He said that he would be meeting India’s trade secretary to make sure this trade agreement really benefits both countries & unlocks billions of pounds of bilateral trade.
The British Foreign Secretary said that the issue of searches on BBC offices in India was raised with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a bilateral meeting today.
Cleverly brought up the issue of the BBC tax searches during his meeting with Jaishankar, sources said.
He was firmly told that all entities operating in India must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations,” according to sources.
Income Tax authorities searched the British broadcaster’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in February of this year.
Cleverly told ANI in an exclusive interview that the BBC is an independent organization separate from the UK government.
“I didn’t see the documentary but I’ve seen reactions in UK and India. BBC is an independent organisation and separate from government. I enjoy a strong personal relationship with Dr Jaishankar…relationship between UK-India growing stronger by the day,” said Cleverly when asked about the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the UK PM Rishi Sunak’s priorities in terms of India, he said that he has launched the young professional scheme, whereby 3,000 young Indians can come to the UK, and vice-versa, to develop answers to the challenges of the future together. The living bridge, those connections are very well exemplified given the fact that the British PM is of Indian heritage.
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