Chequers (UK), July 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms, in remarks widely seen as a reference to growing concerns in India over the activities of pro-Khalistani groups operating in the UK.
Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after bilateral talks at Chequers — the UK PM’s countryside residence northwest of London — Modi stressed the need for zero tolerance against terrorism and thanked the UK for strongly condemning the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
“We agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms,” Modi said in his media statement. “Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.”
India has repeatedly flagged the issue of pro-Khalistan activity on British soil, especially after the March 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London. Officials confirmed that the matter was raised during delegation-level discussions between the two leaders.
Modi underlined the need for a “firm approach” to countering terrorism. “We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his government for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
It is understood that the discussions also touched on the broader challenge of cross-border terrorism, a long-standing concern for India.
While security and extremism were key parts of the agenda, the two leaders also focused on strengthening bilateral ties across sectors — including trade, investment, defence, education, and green technologies.
One of the major outcomes of the visit was the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) — a landmark free trade pact aimed at eliminating tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports, boosting job creation, and opening up markets for both nations.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds signed the agreement in the presence of the two prime ministers, capping three years of negotiations.
Officials said India will benefit from comprehensive market access, while the UK will see reduced tariffs on goods such as whisky, cars, medical devices, and aerospace parts. The deal is expected to inject new momentum into economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
