PM Modi lands in UK; focus on free trade agreement: What's on his agenda?
The Prime Minister was received a warm welcome from the members of Indian community in London.
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PM Modi expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic reception by the Indian community during his visit, calling their affection and commitment to India's progress "truly heartening."
"Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening," PM Modi said in a social media post on X.
What's on the agenda?
Free Trade Agreement
The Prime Minister will meet his counterpart Keir Starmer and other key leaders to discuss several issues, including the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
In his departure statement, PM Modi said that India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has seen significant progress in recent years.
"Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health, and people-to-people ties," he said.
Extradition of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya
According to foreign secretary Vikram Misri, PM Modi will push for the extradition of Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi, and Nirav Modi — all of whom face financial charges in India and are currently residing in the UK.
"There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and Indian justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be returned to India," Misri said.
"Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters," he added.
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Presence of Khalistani groups
The foreign secretary said the Prime Minister will also raise the issue of the presence of Khalistani groups. India has flagged this concern with British officials in the past and will continue to do so. Misri said that this issue affects not only India but also social stability in the UK.
"The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists and bodies close to these people is, again, something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK.
We will continue to do so," he said.
"This is a matter of concern not only to us but should also be a concern to our partners, because it impacts social cohesion and social order in these countries as well," he added.
During his visit, PM Modi is also expected to meet King Charles III and hold discussions with business leaders from both countries.
This marks the Prime Minister's fourth visit to the United Kingdom since assuming office. He previously visited in 2015 and 2018, and again in 2021 for the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
Within the past year alone, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer have met twice — first on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and more recently, last month in June, in Kananaskis, Canada, during the G7 Summit.
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