FM raises extradition issue with Britain PM
In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Theresa May dropped in during a meeting between finance minister Arun Jaitley and chancellor Philip Hammond in Westminster on Tuesday, when the issue of wanted Indian businessmen “overstaying” in Britain was raised.
No names were mentioned during the meeting, but he was told during a brief discussion on visas for Indian businessmen that the Home departments of both countries were in touch on the controversial issue. The Indian side came away from the meeting with hopes of a“quick solution”.
May appreciated the progress made on issues discussed between her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit to New Delhi in November. Even without Brexit, Jaitley was told that ties between the two countries were on the upswing, official sources told HT.
India has made a formal extradition request for businessman Vijay Mallya, who is wanted in connection with alleged financial offences. Mallya arrived in London in March last year and his Indian passport was later revoked. A meeting of Home department officials from both countries discussed the issue of extraditions earlier this month in New Delhi.
Jaitley had remarked at an event at the London School of Economics on Saturday that “democracy is liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay”, and added that it was for the first time that strong action was being taken against defaulters in India.
Jaitley and Hammond also discussed issued related to the upcoming Economic and Financial Dialogue in New Delhi scheduled for April, the sources added.
Jaitley was scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Tuesday evening after a four-day visit here mainly to attend Queen Elizabeth’s Monday reception at Buckingham Palace to launch the UK-India Year of Culture.
British ministers have emphasised to India that the country would not become protectionist but more open after leaving the European Union, finance minister Arun Jaitley said here, adding that New Delhi had accepted the message from London.