Indian Foreign Minister Expresses Concerns about Sikh Activists during UK Trip
The Indian Foreign Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, recently concluded his 5-day trip to the UK, where he held meetings with various British officials, including Rishi Sunak, James Cleverley, David Cameron, Grant Shapps, and Lord Ahmad. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar raised concerns about the activities of British Sikh activists and protesters.
According to reports in The Guardian, Dr Jaishankar met with the new Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, and urged him to provide information requested by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) to assist with their inquiries into Sikh protesters. In recent weeks, British Sikhs have been writing to their Members of Parliament to express concerns about the illegal activities and threats reported by the NIA in the UK, as well as the extrajudicial killing of a Sikh leader in Canada. They have called for the re-establishment of a Sikh homeland.
In response to these concerns, Lord Ahmad, the Minister responsible for India at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), stated that the UK government stands firm in its belief that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. He also emphasized the UK government’s commitment to protecting individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety within the country.
The situation concerning Sikh activists has also drawn international attention, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing the Indian authorities of the extrajudicial killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Trudeau reiterated these allegations and criticized India for unilaterally removing diplomatic immunity for over 40 Canadian diplomats. The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, has also raised the issue with Indian officials, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Canadian investigation.
Dabinderjit Singh, the Principal Adviser of the Sikh Federation (UK), expressed disappointment in Rishi Sunak, accusing him of failing to address the extrajudicial killing of the Canadian Sikh leader during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit. Singh further criticized Sunak for ignoring the concerns of the British Sikh community in order to secure a trade deal with the Indian government.
With regards to Prime Minister Modi, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the changes that have occurred in India during a speech in Westminster Hall, emphasizing the impact of Modi’s leadership. However, critics argued that Modi should be held accountable for his alleged role in failing to prevent the violence against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. Despite this controversy, the UK government lifted the travel ban on Modi in 2012 as part of efforts to improve bilateral relations.
During Modi’s first visit to the UK as Prime Minister in 2014, it was reported that he provided a dossier on Sikh activists to then-Prime Minister David Cameron. The dossier allegedly named individuals like Avtar Singh Khanda, who passed away under mysterious circumstances in a Birmingham hospital, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Canada shortly afterward.
The concerns expressed by the Indian Foreign Minister and the ongoing debate surrounding the activities of Sikh activists highlight the need for collaboration between nations, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to the rule of law. The situation is being closely monitored both in the UK and internationally as the investigation continues.
