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ITV News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
India rejects UK parliament report on transnational repression
India has launched a blistering counterattack against a UK parliamentary report that accused it of waging 'transnational repression' on British soil and misusing global policing tools like INTERPOL to silence political dissidents. In a strongly worded statement on India's foreign ministry denounced the allegations as 'baseless,' 'politically motivated,' and 'drawn from dubious and discredited sources.' 'The deliberate reliance on unverified inputs from proscribed entities with a long record of anti-India hostility calls into question the credibility and objectivity of the entire report,' said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, dismissing the claims as an orchestrated smear. The rare diplomatic rebuke was triggered by the release of a hard-hitting report titled 'Transnational Repression in the UK' on July 30 by the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights — a powerful cross-party body comprising lawmakers from both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The report accuses multiple foreign governments of targeting exiled dissidents, activists, and journalists who have sought refuge in the UK, creating what it describes as a 'chilling effect' on diaspora communities. India was named among 12 countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, allegedly involved in such practices. While the report reserves its sharpest criticism for what it terms the 'three most flagrant perpetrators' — China, Russia, and Iran — India's inclusion, particularly the accusation of abusing INTERPOL's Red Notice mechanism for political ends, has sparked sharp pushback from New Delhi. The committee's findings draw heavily from evidence submitted by UK-based Sikh advocacy groups, including the Sikh Federation (UK) and Sikhs for Justice. These groups allege that Indian authorities have sought to weaponise international policing tools to harass and intimidate diaspora voices, especially those supporting the Khalistan separatist movement — a claim India has long dismissed as misinformation propagated by extremist elements. While the report has reignited debate within Britain over how to protect residents from foreign interference, India's sharp reaction signals a potential diplomatic flashpoint — particularly amid already sensitive ties following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year, which also raised questions around cross-border intelligence operations. As both countries navigate a delicate relationship shaped by strategic partnerships and domestic political pressures, the fallout from this latest allegation is likely to echo beyond Westminster and Raisina Hill.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
New Delhi rejects British Parliamentary report naming India among countries engaging in transnational repression
India on Friday (August 1, 2025) categorically rejected as "baseless" a British parliamentary report that named it among countries engaged in "transnational repression" in the UK. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the allegations stemmed from "unverified" and "dubious sources" predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals. "We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility," he said. Mr. Jaiswal said the "deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself." The report made by the British Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights listed India along with China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Bahrain, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as countries allegedly engaging in "transnational repression" in the UK. The report titled "Transnational repression in the U.K." was made public on July 30. Some of the details related to India cited in the report was provided by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and other U.K.-based Sikh groups.
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
India rejects UK report alleging ‘transnational repression'
India Friday categorically rejected as 'baseless' a British parliamentary report that named it among countries engaged in 'transnational repression' in the UK. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the allegations stemmed from 'unverified' and 'dubious sources' predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals. 'We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations,' said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. 'These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility,' he said. Jaiswal said the 'deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself'. The report made by the British Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights listed India along with China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Bahrain, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as countries allegedly engaging in 'transnational repression' in the UK. The report titled 'Transnational repression in the UK' was made public on July 30. Some of the details related to India cited in the report were provided by Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and other UK-based Sikh groups.
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Baseless, unverified and dubious: India rejects UK parliamentary committee report
London/New Delhi: India on Friday rejected the allegations made by the UK parliamentary committee, terming its report that claimed New Delhi's involvement in transnational repression as "baseless." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that these claims stem from "unverified and dubious sources", predominantly connected to proscribed entities and individuals with a "clear, documented history of anti-India hostility." The Joint Committee on Human Rights in its report released on July 30 said that it has received evidence alleging that Bahrain, China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of having conducted acts of transnational repression on the UK soil. Reacting to queries regarding references to India in the UK Parliamentary Committee report, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations. These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility. The deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself." In the report, Joint Committee on Human Rights called for stronger action to stop the growth of transnational repression (TNR). The committee warned that foreign governments are being increasingly bold in attempts to silence and intimidate individuals and communities in the UK and urged the British government to make more efforts to protect and support victims. During his recent visit to the UK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had thanked UK counterpart Keir Starmer for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack and said that forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom. While making a press statement alongside Starmer on July 24, PM Modi said, "We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his Government for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism. We also agree that the forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself, must be held to account." PM Modi's statement came amid growing concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom, who have in the past also targetted the Indian High Commission in London. Earlier this year, Khalistani goons created ruckus outside the Chatham House in London where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was attending an event. A video from the event, showing a protester running towards the EAM's vehicle as he was leaving the venue, also went viral on social media highlighting the security breach. This was not the first time that anti-India, radical elements had organised demonstrations, attacks, as well as arson in London. In March 2023, New Delhi had lodged a strong protest with the UK government after Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian High Commission in London. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had demanded an explanation from the British authorities for the complete absence of the British security that allowed the Khalistani goons to enter the High Commission premises.
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First Post
01-08-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Unverified and dubious': India dismisses UK parliamentary report on transnational repression
India on Friday rejected a British parliamentary committee report accusing India of involvement in transnational repression (TNR) activities in the UK, calling the allegations 'baseless' read more India on Friday rejected a British parliamentary committee report accusing India of involvement in transnational repression (TNR) activities in the UK, calling the allegations 'baseless.' 'We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations. These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility. The deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself,' MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a report published on July 30, the Joint Committee on Human Rights said that it has received evidence alleging that Bahrain, China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of having conducted acts of transnational repression on the UK soil. The report alleged that some foreign governments are employing threats, surveillance, or coercion to intimidate critics, activists, or dissidents in the UK. In India's case, it specifically cited the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). During his recent visit to the UK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his British counterpart Keir Starmer for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and stressed that extremist ideologies must not be allowed to exploit democratic freedoms. At a joint press briefing on July 24, PM Modi said, 'We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism… Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.' His remarks came amid rising concern over the activities of Khalistani extremists in the UK, who have previously targeted the Indian High Commission in London. Earlier this year, a protester breached security during an event attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Chatham House in London. In March 2023, New Delhi lodged a strong protest after Khalistani elements vandalised the Indian mission, prompting questions over the lack of British security presence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
