Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
world1 day ago
Indian authorities on Monday dismissed reports that India-UK trade talks have been stalled over the recent attacks involving pro-Khalistan groups in London.
According to British media reports, New Delhi has stalled negotiations with the UK over a free trade agreement (FTA) as it wants tougher action against these groups behind the attack on the Indian High Commission in London last month.
"The report is baseless," an Indian government source said in New Delhi.
The next round of official negotiations is likely to take place from April 24 in London, the source added.
The Times newspaper referenced senior British government sources to claim that the Indian government has “disengaged” from trade talks, which opened in January last year, and made it clear that there would be no progress without a public condemnation of the pro-Khalistan extremist groups behind the pulling down of the Tricolour at India House in London and injuring two officials on March 19.
While the UK government has since condemned the attack and promised a security review at the diplomatic mission, the Indian authorities reportedly want the action to go further to publicly condemn the separatist extremists.
"India has said they don’t want to speak about trade, they don’t want to do trade negotiations because they think it’s part of a wider problem of us not taking the attack against the Indian High Commission and the wider Sikh separatist movement seriously,” the newspaper quoted a UK government source as saying.
"Indians don’t want to talk about trade until they get a very public demonstration of condemnation of Khalistan extremism in the UK. I wouldn’t underestimate the strength of feeling on this. They’re expecting the government to say something on Sikh extremism before they come back to the table seriously,” the source said.
According to official UK government statistics, the India-UK bilateral trading relationship was worth 34 billion pounds in 2022 – growing by 10 billion pounds in one year.
These statistics are expected to be dramatically enhanced with a successful FTA.
Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
world1 day ago
Northeastern University in Boston says the action was taken after some protesters resorted to virulent anti-Semitic slurs
world1 day ago
Alongside regional leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meetings
world1 day ago
The Argentinian's beauty got many looking for the 'fountain of youth': She can't be that old, Netizens say
world1 day ago
A plea moved in court stated that no one is permitted to wear the official state institution outfit
world2 days ago
The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat
world2 days ago
Friday's polling will be held for 88 of the total 543 seats in the lower house or Lok Sabha of Parliament with 160 million people eligible to vote
world2 days ago
Kerala will decide the fate of 194 candidates as polling on all 20 parliamentary constituencies will be held in the second phase
world3 days ago