Trade talks between India and Britain have not been suspended and can proceed this 12 months, three officials stated on Monday, responding to a British newspaper report that stated India had “disengaged” from the talks after London did not condemn Sikh separatists.
An official in India’s international ministry stated progress within the trade talks and New Delhi’s issues round Sikh separatist actions in Britain ought to not be interlinked.
A diplomatic official within the British Excessive Fee in New Delhi stated trade talks will proceed in a scheduled method and safety officials in London had been addressing India’s issues about Sikh separatist actions in Britain.
“Both the UK and India are committed to delivering an ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA and concluded the latest round of trade talks last month,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Division for Enterprise and Trade stated.
“The Foreign Secretary has condemned the recent acts of violence at the Indian High Commission, and we are working with the Metropolitan Police to review security and make changes to ensure the safety of its staff,” the spokesperson added.
New Delhi has been upset about protests and vandalism by Sikh separatists exterior its mission in London and elsewhere in america and Canada.
Final month, protesters with banners supporting the so-called unbiased Sikh state of “Khalistan” staged an indication exterior the Indian Excessive Fee in London and took down an Indian flag from the constructing’s balcony to denounce current police motion towards a pro-Khalistan Sikh preacher.
The demand for Khalistan has witnessed a revival in sections of the Sikh inhabitants in India and abroad.
India final month summoned the highest British diplomat in New Delhi to convey its “strong protest” over the London incident.
The international ministry had later stated India was not considering assurances however wish to see motion.
British Overseas Secretary James Cleverly stated acts of violence in the direction of workers on the Excessive Fee in London had been unacceptable and British police had been investigating.
The Instances newspaper reported on Monday that India has “disengaged” from the talks after accusing Britain of failing to sentence a Sikh separatist group.
A second Indian international ministry supply stated that trade talks with Britain had not been suspended, and described the media report back to be “baseless”.
In complete, Britain and India have an round 29 billion pound ($35.5 billion) buying and selling relationship, and increasing it’s a main a part of Britain’s Indo-Pacific international coverage tilt, which goals to boost ties with the area’s fast-growing economies. (Reporting by Rupam Jain and Sakshi Dayal in NEW DELHI, extra reporting by Michael Holden in London; Enhancing by YP Rajesh and Jacqueline Wong)
