The Occasions beforehand claimed that New Delhi had suspended negotiations and demanded that Britain condemn a Sikh extremist group
India has denied claims that it has stalled commerce negotiations with the UK over London’s obvious refusal to sentence a Sikh extremist group. New Delhi has branded the accusations “baseless,” Reuters reported on Monday, citing officers.
The Occasions claimed that Indian officers had “disengaged” from commerce talks after accusing Britain of failing to sentence a Sikh extremist group that attacked the Indian Excessive Fee in London final month.
The assault was carried out by supporters of the Khalistan motion, which has referred to as for a sovereign Sikh state within the Punjab area of India. On March 19, members of the group allegedly injured two safety guards and smashed home windows on the Indian Excessive Fee constructing in London, additionally flattening the Indian flag.
On the time, New Delhi accused London of failing to meet “fundamental obligations” to guard overseas diplomatic missions underneath the Vienna Conference. The Indian International Ministry additionally summoned the UK’s most senior diplomat in New Delhi to lodge a protest, and demanded explanations “for the entire absence of the British safety that allowed these components to enter the Excessive Fee premises.”
Whereas the UK condemned the assault, a senior British authorities supply allegedly instructed The Occasions that India needed London to problem a public condemnation of the Khalistan motion.
“Indians don’t need to speak about commerce till they get a really public demonstration of condemnation of Khalistan extremism within the UK. I wouldn’t underestimate the energy of feeling on this. They’re anticipating the federal government to say one thing on Sikh extremism earlier than they arrive again to the desk significantly,” the unnamed supply instructed the outlet.
Nonetheless, an Indian International Ministry supply instructed Reuters on Monday that commerce talks with Britain had not been suspended, and that The Occasions’ report was “baseless.” He argued that New Delhi’s considerations over Sikh separatists and commerce talks shouldn’t be interlinked.
One other supply instructed the company that talks with India on commerce agreements have been persevering with as scheduled, and that safety officers in London have been addressing India’s considerations about Sikh separatist actions.
“Each the UK and India are dedicated to delivering an formidable and mutually helpful FTA and concluded the newest spherical of commerce talks final month,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Division for Enterprise and Commerce instructed Reuters.
He added that the Metropolitan Police is reviewing safety and making adjustments to make sure the security of workers on the Indian Excessive Fee in London.
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