NEW DELHI: India on Monday sought cooperation from the United Kingdom in extradition of 13 fugitives wanted by New Delhi including liquor baron Vijay Mallya, cricket bookie Sanjiv Kapur and former IPL boss Lalit Modi among others.
The issue was raised by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju during a meeting with visiting UK counterpart Brandon Lewis here. Rijiju also raised the issue of anti-India propaganda by Sikh and Kashmiri extremists in the UK.
During the meeting, Rijiju conveyed New Delhi’s concerns on the continuing anti-India propaganda carried out by Kashmiri and Sikh extremists in the UK that bear “serious repercussions on India’s sovereignty”.
“On behalf of the Government of India, Rijiju also conveyed willingness to cooperate on exchange of criminal records,” the Home Ministry said in a statement.
A delegation from the United Kingdom led by the Minister of State for Immigration Brandon Lewis held talks with the Indian delegation led by Rijiju here on Monday.
The discussions covered a variety of important issues ranging from cooperation in matters of immigration, tackling extremism, extradition, cyber crimes, sharing of criminal records and social security for Indian workers returning from the UK.
“At the outset, Rijiju elaborated the stand of the Government of India on the Migration issues between India and the UK and also sought cooperation of the UK side on more favourable visa regime for Indians, especially Indian students,” the statement further said.
While seeking cooperation of the UK Government in expediting India’s 13 extradition requests, Rijiju also assured the visiting Minister of full cooperation on behalf of the Union Government in the extradition of Mohammad Abdul Shakur wanted in the UK on murder charges.
Lewis expressed satisfaction that meetings between the Indian and UK Immigration Ministers have been formalized as a dialogue every six months and expressed hope that this will further strengthen the bilateral ties.
Further, drawing attention to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will take place in London in April next year, Lewis sought India’s participation and support in making the summit a success.