Vijay Mallya, Indian economic offenders in UK take centre stage in Modi-Starmer meeting at G20
UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands during a bilateral meeting in the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil, on November 18, 2024. Photograph:( AFP )
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Prime Minister Modi, as per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, raised the sensitive issue of economic offenders who have fled India for the UK, urging for decisive action
Prime Minister Modi, as per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, raised the sensitive issue of economic offenders who have fled India for the UK, urging for decisive action
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil, engaged in high-level talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during which he addressed the issue of Indian economic offenders — like Vijay Mallya — residing in the UK.
The two leaders also discussed reinvigorating the stalled Free Trade Agreement (FTA), among other things.
Vijay Mallya and Indian economic offenders
Prime Minister Modi, as per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, raised the sensitive issue of economic offenders who have fled India for the UK, urging for decisive action. The topic has long been a source of friction between the two nations, with several high-profile individuals accused of financial crimes taking refuge in Britain in recent years.
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India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, "Prime Minister noted the importance of addressing the issue of economic offenders from India in the UK. The two leaders also agreed on the need to make progress on issues related to migration and mobility".
Reviving the Free Trade Agreement
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to restarting the FTA discussions, which had stalled earlier this year.
Starmer, who assumed office in July, underscored the importance of boosting trade to support economic growth and improve living standards in the UK.
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"Yesterday, we announced plans to relaunch UK-India trade talks."
"A new trade deal will support jobs and prosperity in the UK–and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across the country," Starmer said on X.
A very productive meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 19, 2024
Yesterday we announced plans to relaunch UK-India trade talks.
A new trade deal will support jobs and prosperity in the UK – and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across the… pic.twitter.com/8RHUshApdu
Downing Street in a statement said, "Both leaders agreed to take forward an ambitious UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to take the relationship to new heights in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate, health and education. As part of this, they agreed to relaunch UK-India trade talks early next year."
The two leaders also discussed issues surrounding migration and mobility, with both sides expressing a shared interest in creating smoother pathways for people-to-people exchanges.
(With inputs from agencies)
