Modi, May talk Mallya, terror in London meet
LONDON: The extradition of economic offenders such as Vijay Mallya and action against Pakistan-based terror groups topped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda as Brexit-bound Britain extended him royal treatment ahead of the Commonwealth summit.
During a breakfast meeting with Modi, Prime Minister Theresa May sought to address Brexitrelated concerns of Indian firms and investors by saying that their access to European markets will continue till 2020. Modi, in turn, assured May there would be “no dilution in the importance of the UK to India” after it leaves the European Union.
Modi raised the extradition of Indian economic offenders based in Britain, including Mallya, officials said. “The issue of economic offenders was raised and this was among a number of consular issues that were raised,” foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters.
May mentioned the cases of individuals based in India wanted by UK authorities, such as Aman Vyas, accused of killing a woman in Walthamstow in 2009. Both leaders agreed to recognise the independence of the judiciary in their countries.
Extradition is a judicial process in both countries, overseen by a treaty since 1992. Mallya’s extradition hearing is in the closing stage at Westminster Magistrates Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 27.
The British premier agreed to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terror groups, including Pakistanbased Lashkar-e-taiba, Jaish-emohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, according to a joint statement issued after the talks.
May apprised Modi of her government’s position on chemical attacks in Syria, and highlighted what she called the “recent destabilising behaviour” of Russia, India’s long-standing ally.