NEW DELHI: Just a day ahead of the rally call given by Khalistani supporters across many countries, including the UK, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Britain Tim Barrow had a bilateral meeting with India’s NSA Ajit Doval.
"India has raised the issue of extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source familiar with the meeting.
India and the UK also agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. They reiterated that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.
It may be recalled that Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission on March 20. British authorities have assured India of doing whatever it takes to rein in these extremist elements. Khalistani supporters have called for a rally on July 8 and have added pictures of Indian diplomats in posters about the event, threatening to harm them.
"Both the sides agreed to work closely on counter terrorism, counter terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter radicalisation," the source added.
Barrow is in India on the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials.
"The two had productive and wide-ranging discussions on furthering the UK India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and also covered global security issues," according to the British High Commission.
Both Barrow and Doval have met at regular intervals and have been regularly engaged in discussing bilateral, regional and global issues.
The current visit has given them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as exploring futuristic areas for technology collaboration.
Both sides have agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages. It was also agreed to deepen collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.
Barrow is likely to meet other dignitaries during his ongoing visit.
