British PM raised issue of violence against minorities with Modi

British PM Theresa May had raised the issue of “violent offences” against minorities during her visit to India in November, a minister revealed during a recent debate in the House of Lords on the alleged rise in “extremism” following elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Foreign office minister Joyce Anelay revealed in the debate titled India: Extremism on April 24 that minister for Asia, Alok Sharma, had raised the issue recently when an Indian minister visited the UK. May’s trip to India was her first bilateral visit after taking over as PM. The visit’s focus was on increased trade relationship with India after Brexit, and the issue of May raising the issue of “violent offences” was hardly mentioned at the time.

Asked by Nazir Ahmed (nonaffiliated) what assessment the May government had made “of the rise of extremism in India following the elections in Uttar Pradesh”, Anelay said it was aware of “concerns over religious intolerance and community relations”. Sharing concern expressed by lords, she said the British high commission in New Delhi discusses human rights issues with institutions such as the national commission for minorities and state governments.

The UK government, she added, worked directly with the Indian government to build capacity and share expertise to tackle challenges, including the promotion and protection of human rights. This includes working with India on its universal periodic review in May.

“Modi has made it clear that every citizen has the right to follow any faith and vowed to protect all religious groups. We welcome this statement,” Anelay said. Responding to concerns that focusing on trade relationship with Indian should not dilute the UK’S focus on human rights, the minister said: “It is for the benefit of both countries that we develop our trade relationship, but it is our firm belief that good relations and strong human rights are the underpinning for successful economic development.”