Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Security minister ensures safety measures for Indian mission in London

Tom Tugendhat announced on Friday (11), new funding of 95,000 pounds to enhance Britain’s capability to tackle “pro-Khalistan extremism”

Security minister ensures safety measures for Indian mission in London

The safety and security of the Indian High Commission in London, as well as its personnel, are being safeguarded through essential measures by the UK, British security minister Tom Tugendhat said.

This initiative comes approximately five months subsequent to an attack on the mission by pro-Khalistani groups, which had introduced a degree of tension into the bilateral relations.


In an exclusive interview with PTI, the senior minister said the British government is addressing India's concerns over activities of pro-Khalistani elements and that any attempt to radicalise people in the UK will be dealt with by the law-enforcing authorities.

"Let me be very clear about this. This is not an Indian problem in the UK. Whenever there is radicalisation in the UK of UK citizens, this is a British problem. And so, any attempt to radicalise any UK citizen in any direction will be dealt with by the British government," he said.

"That is why we have the Prevent Programme and we are using it to face those challenges of radicalisation across different communities," he said.

In March, India reacted angrily after pro-Khalistan elements attacked the Indian High Commission in London and pulled down the national flag from a pole at the front of the building.

Tugendhat was in India on a three-day visit from August 10-12 primarily to attend the G20 anti-corruption ministerial meeting in Kolkata.

In Delhi, he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"We work very closely in making sure that we're supporting each other. In recent days and weeks, I have been very closely involved, working with friends of ours and particularly with people in the Indian High Commission to make sure that they are safe in London and that anyone who threatens them is dealt with by the law," he said.

On Friday (11), Tugendhat announced new funding of 95,000 pounds to enhance Britain's capability to tackle "pro-Khalistan extremism".

Delving into the scope of overall security cooperation between India and the UK, the British Security minister said the gap between "where we are and where we could be" is significantly big.

"I have a great privilege of meeting other governments in other countries to seek to improve our relations. And in many of them, there are small things we can do to improve the relationship," he said.

"But the reality is the relationship (India-UK) is already very good or is unlikely to change much. One of the things that I see in India is the gap between where we are and where we could be is the greatest. And I think there's a huge amount more we can do," he said.

The British security minister also noted that India and the UK are expanding cooperation in dealing with the challenge of terrorism, extremism, radicalisation and cyber crime.

"We've made some very good progress in the last few years, and this is based on the fact that both of our governments are dealing with not just similar problems, but we're dealing with them in similar ways," he said.

"Our adherence to the rule of law and our protection of individual rights means that we're looking at these challenges as ways in which we can defend ourselves against these threats," he said.

Talking about strong-people-to-people connections between the two countries, Tugendhat also noted that some people are exploiting this link for nefarious activities wherever they can. Highlighting cooperation between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific, he said broad security ties have been an important aspect of it.

"Prime minister (Rishi) Sunak asked me to come to India to talk to your government because much of the focus has been on the Pacific end of Indo-Pacific, as you're aware. And making sure it goes more rebalanced is incredibly important," he said.

"Now, look, we have very good army-to-army links. We have very good navy-to-navy links, and those military connections are really important. But security goes beyond that," Tugendhat said.

"It goes into the technology of our economy. It goes into the security of our people. And that's where I've been working with people in your government to make sure that we're having that structured dialogue and creating those ongoing relationships that make sure that we're keeping our people safe and ensuring their continued prosperity," he added.

Asked about the resolve of the two countries in the roadmap 2030 to take decisive and concrete action against globally proscribed terrorist entities, Tugendhat did not give a direct reply. "I'm not going to discuss who we may or may not proscribe. But there are a lot of areas that we're already cooperating on, where we see threats to our own citizens and indeed to those of our friends and allies," he said.

(PTI)

More For You

National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lepra

'The 100 Club offers a powerful way to support and scale-up this work,' said the organisers.

Lepra launches 100 Club to support community-based leprosy detection

LEPRA launched its first high-value giving network, the 100 Club, on June 26. The event was held at Quilon Restaurant in London and brought together philanthropists, business leaders and supporters of the charity’s work.

The event was hosted by Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor of Asian Media Group and President of the 100 Club. Remarks were delivered by Lepra’s Chair of Trustees Suzanne McCarthy and CEO Jimmy Innes, who spoke about the organisation’s ASPIRE project.

Keep ReadingShow less
family-centre-iStock

Currently, one in four families with children under five do not have access to local children’s centres or Family Hubs. (Representational image: iStock)

£500 million plan to expand family services across England

THE UK government has announced the nationwide rollout of Best Start Family Hubs across every local authority, aiming to support 500,000 more children by 2028.

The hubs are intended to offer easier access to family services and reduce pressure on parents.

Keep ReadingShow less