- Thursday, September 12, 2024
The premier said the UK is working closely with its partners in the Indian government to tackle the threat from pro-Khalistan extremism.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (6) allayed India’s concerns over activities of pro-Khalistan elements on the British soil ahead of his visit to India for the G20 summit.
He said no form of extremism is acceptable and added the right to hold lawful protests does not extend to violent or threatening behaviour.
Pro-Khalistan activists have been displaying anti-India activities in the UK as well as in a number of western democracies over the past many months. In March, the Indian high commission in London was targeted and even the Indian Tricolour was brought down by a mob, leading to strong reaction from the Indian authorities.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, Sunak said he takes the duty of the government to disrupt and counter violent, divisive ideologies, whatever they may be, very seriously.
The 43-year-old leader, who is the first British prime minister of Asian origin, said the UK is working closely with its partners in the Indian government to tackle the threat from pro-Khalistan extremism.
“No form of extremism is acceptable in the UK, and I take the duty of the government to disrupt and counter violent, divisive ideologies, whatever they may be, very seriously,” he said.
“We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government to tackle the threat from pro-Khalistan extremism and the British police are fully empowered to deal with violent acts,” he said, replying to a question on the issue.
Sunak also referred to a meeting between Indian external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and UK’s security minister Tom Tugendhat last month that was focused on addressing the threat of extremism and corruption.
“In August, the UK’s security minister met minister Jaishankar in New Delhi to develop our shared work addressing the threat of extremism and corruption,” Sunak said.
“During that visit he announced new funding to enhance the UK’s capability to tackle pro-Khalistan extremism. The Rs 1 crore investment will strengthen our understanding of the threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremism and complement the joint work already underway between the UK and India,” he said.
“UK citizens enjoy the right to gather lawfully and demonstrate a point of view, but rights to lawful protest do not extend to violent or threatening behaviour,” the British prime minister said.
(With PTI inputs)
