India asked U.K. authorities to expedite the process of extradition of fugitive economic offenders at the third India-U.K. home affairs dialogue on Wednesday.
A senior government official said that India raised the issue of early extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi . India also sought their help in locating diamond merchant Nirav Modi who is said to have been planning for an asylum in the U.K.
New Delhi also asked London not to allow the British territory to be used for anti-India activities by Kashmiri and Khalistani separatists. India also raised the visa problems faced by its nationals, including delays in visas to students, the high amount charged for U.K. visas and lengthy waiting period for tourist visas.
The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and the U.K. team was led by Patsy Wilkinson.
“Detailed exchange of views took place between the two sides on Indian fugitive/economic offenders residing in the U.K. The Indian delegation pressed upon the U.K. authorities to expedite the process of extradition,” a statement by MHA said. The dialogue covered issues including cyber security, women safety, organised crime, terror financing and a need to put in place a mechanism for timely exchange of information and intelligence inputs on such issues, the statement said.
U.K. Visas and Immigration regional director for South and Southeast Asia, Nick Crouch said, “It was a constructive engagement.” He did not respond to queries on Mr. Mallya’s extradition.
India also sought U.K.’s assistance in extradition of alleged cricket bookie Sanjiv Kapur and legal help in prosecution of 16 other alleged criminals.
Mr. Mallya, facing CBI and ED investigations, is accused of defrauding Indian banks of ₹9,000 crore. He left India on March 2, 2016 , and was arrested by Scotland Yard in 2017 on an extradition warrant. Out on bail, Mr. Mallya is fighting the extradition case in a U.K. court.
Mr. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, who left India in early 2018, are wanted by authorities for allegedly duping the Punjab National Bank of ₹13,000 crore.
NCP supporters use images of Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi during a protest in Mumbai on February 23, 2018.
Mr. Lalit Modi left India after being charged with money laundering.
“The Indian side communicated our concerns on the recent activities of certain extremists and radical elements in U.K. The U.K delegation were urged to maintain vigil over the activities of such elements and take appropriate action including timely sharing of intelligence,” MHA said.
The India-U.K. Home Affairs dialogue was set up during British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to India in November 2016.
