Ahead of PMs go to, India highlights presence of Khalistani activists within the U.Ok.

Bilateral commerce is a serious agenda merchandise as Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to the United Kingdom on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), however the India-U.Ok. talks may even function discussions on pro-Khalistan components within the U.Ok., and India’s coverage on bringing U.Ok.-based fugitives to justice.

The presence of Khalistani activists within the U.Ok. and elsewhere undermines “social cohesion”, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned in a briefing on the PM’s go to on Tuesday.

The go to can be more likely to result in the disclosing of the India-U.Ok. Free Trade Agreement that Mr. Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had introduced on May 6.

Last minute work on FTA

“We are engaged on authorized scrubbing and different final minute work that must be completed… The U.Ok. is the sixth-largest investor in India, with cumulative funding of $36 billion. Interestingly, India can be a serious investor within the U.Ok., with practically $20 billion in cumulative FDI,” Mr. Misri mentioned, indicating that last-minute discussions are going down relating to the FTA.

According to diplomatic sources, the FTA is predicted to end in tangible advantages for each nations in sectors similar to superior equipment, automobiles, and spirits, primarily Scotch whiskey. According to the U.Ok. authorities, the FTA has the potential to extend bilateral commerce by practically 39%, or an quantity of 25.5 billion kilos, equal to ₹34.4 billion.

Khalistani safety considerations

While boosting India-U.Ok. commerce, the talks may even take up the presence of the Khalistan components who’ve repeatedly focused the Indian High Commissioner in London within the current previous, and campaigned for a free Khalistan. This can be among the many safety considerations being considered throughout the Prime Minister’s go to, leading to a number of particulars, together with assembly venues, being saved underneath wraps.

In March, whereas on a go to to the U.Ok., External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was accosted by a protester who tried to tear up the Indian flag. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the incident and requested the U.Ok. authorities to “absolutely stay upto its diplomatic obligations”. 

The Prime Minister’s go to may even present India with a possibility to debate the presence of fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi on British soil. Mr. Misri mentioned that India is assured of bringing these wished people to justice, pointing to earlier profitable extraditions. “We have been in contact with one another. We will attempt to clarify them that how others like Tahawwur Rana has been extradited… We can do it,” Mr. Misri mentioned.

Likely to debate sanctions

Mr. Modi and Mr. Starmer are anticipated to debate worldwide developments, together with the U.Ok.’s assist to Ukraine and sanctions in opposition to Russia. Significantly, whereas the European Union introduced particular sanctions on July 18 in opposition to the Nayara vitality refinery in Gujarat, which is a three way partnership with Russian vitality large Rosneft, the United Kingdom didn’t embody the Indian refinery in its sanctions introduced on July 21.

Mr. Modi can have an viewers with King Charles III.