Keir Starmer has raised concerns with India’s Prime Minister about the purchase of Russian oil, which has been used to fund Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine. The discussion took place during a meeting between the two leaders in Mumbai, India’s tech hub.
During the talks, Starmer highlighted the issue of India continuing to buy discounted Russian oil, despite international pressure. This practice has resulted in penalty tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump on India.
Starmer confirmed that the topic of India’s purchase of Russian oil was addressed in his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Both leaders outlined the steps being taken to resolve the conflict, with a specific focus on the activities of the Russian shadow fleet and the coalition efforts to address the situation.
Additionally, Starmer raised the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without a conviction. He expressed concerns about the lack of progress in resolving the case and highlighted the need for action to reunite Johal with his family.
Despite differences over the Ukraine conflict, the Prime Minister praised the strong relationship between India and the UK. He emphasized the benefits of the new trade deal signed between the two countries, which is creating opportunities for British businesses in India. The PM also highlighted the recent announcement of three new Bollywood films being produced in the UK, showcasing the growing collaboration between the two nations.
The Prime Minister emphasized the vast potential for partnership between India and the UK, given India’s status as the world’s largest democracy and its projected economic growth trajectory. This partnership aims to capitalize on India’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse.
Gurpreet, Jagtar’s brother, expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s attention to Jagtar’s case but voiced disappointment over the lack of concrete progress. He shared hopes for a plan of action to secure Jagtar’s release and emphasized the importance of turning discussions into meaningful actions.
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