‘Take public action against extremist elements’: NSA Ajit Doval tells UK counterpart

New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called upon his British counterpart Sir Tim Barrow to take strong public action, such as deportation, against extremist elements threatening officials of the Indian High Commission in Britain, official sources said. Doval raised the issue during wide-ranging talks with Barrow, who is currently on a visit to India.

Both the NSAs held one-to-one talks which were followed by delegation-level strategic talks. Pro-Khalistan groups have released posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats in the UK as well as the US, Canada and Australia, triggering concerns in New Delhi. India has already asked all these countries to ensure the security of Indian diplomats and their missions.

In the talks, which covered a wide-ranging bilateral, regional and global agenda, the two sides also agreed to work together to combat terrorism and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.

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“The Indian side raised the issue of threats to individual officials of the High Commission of India by extremist elements in the UK and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements, such as deportation or prosecution,” a source said.

Sources said both sides agreed to enhance cooperation to combat violent extremism and radicalism as there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalism in a democracy.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said the safety of Indian diplomats and security of Indian missions is top priority for the government and New Delhi has taken it up with the countries concerned.

In a message to countries that are witnessing the growing activities of Khalistani groups, Bagchi said no space should be given to those who advocate violence or legitimize terrorism in the name of freedom of expression.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Thursday that any direct attack on the Indian High Commission in London was “completely unacceptable”. On the Doval-Barrow talks, sources said both sides agreed to deepen counter-terrorism and terror financing.

Both the NSAs also resolved to expand mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. “Both sides agreed to work together on counter-terrorism, counter-terror-financing, use of internet for purposes of terrorism, illegal drug trafficking and counter-radicalisation,” the source said.

It added, “Both sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.” In the delegation-level talks, both the countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord highest priority to further enhance security ties.