'Unverified and dubious': India dismisses UK parliamentary report on transnational repression

India on Friday rejected a British parliamentary committee report accusing India of involvement in transnational repression (TNR) activities in the UK, calling the allegations “baseless.”

“We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations. These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility. The deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

In a report published on July 30, the Joint Committee on Human Rights said that it has received evidence alleging that Bahrain, China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of having conducted acts of transnational repression on the UK soil.

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The report alleged that some foreign governments are employing threats, surveillance, or coercion to intimidate critics, activists, or dissidents in the UK. In India’s case, it specifically cited the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

During his recent visit to the UK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his British counterpart Keir Starmer for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and stressed that extremist ideologies must not be allowed to exploit democratic freedoms.

At a joint press briefing on July 24, PM Modi said, “We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism… Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.”

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His remarks came amid rising concern over the activities of Khalistani extremists in the UK, who have previously targeted the Indian High Commission in London.

Earlier this year, a protester breached security during an event attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Chatham House in London.

In March 2023, New Delhi lodged a strong protest after Khalistani elements vandalised the Indian mission, prompting questions over the lack of British security presence.

With inputs from agencies