India Economic and Security Relationship 2022-04-26

2022-04-26

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is inquiring about the UK's recent diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with India.
What recent diplomatic steps have been taken to strengthen the UK's economic and security relationship with India?
India is the world's largest democracy and a key partner of the United Kingdom. We are deepening our defence and security ties, as well as securing a trade deal by the end of the year.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
The MP acknowledges the Foreign Secretary's efforts to deepen ties with India and asks how the UK can help move India away from its relationship with Russia.
How will my right hon. Friend ensure that our friendship continues with India while moving it back towards the west?
My hon. Friend is a huge champion for the Indian community in Harrow East, and he is right: India is a democracy. We want to work more closely with India and other democracies to reduce dependence on authoritarian regimes such as Russia. We can do that by working more closely with India on defence, which is what the Prime Minister was doing on his visit to India last week, and more closely on trade and investment.
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Q3 Direct Answer
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The MP welcomes the Prime Minister's visit to boost UK-India ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that following his trip, the UK will continue to work closely with our friends in India to deliver a more secure and prosperous future for both our peoples?
That is right. First, we are working more closely with India on defence, to benefit industries in both our countries and make our countries more secure and less dependent on authoritarian regimes. At the same time, we will be delivering more commercial benefits. When the Prime Minister was in India he confirmed deals of more than £1 billion, creating almost 11,000 new jobs in the United Kingdom.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Bradford East
Context
The MP wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to raise human rights concerns with Indian authorities but received no response.
When will this Government fulfil their international obligation to address the human rights abuses against Kashmiris and those persecuted by the right-wing Modi Government in India?
On Kashmir, we encourage both sides to engage in dialogue and find lasting diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability. We raise our concerns with the Governments of both India and Pakistan.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The MP asks about discussions to address human rights violations against Christians and Muslims in India.
What discussions have taken place to ensure that when it comes to addressing the persecution of Christians and Muslims, and the abuse of human rights in India, something is being done?
Of course we raise the issue of human rights with the Indian Government. Indeed, later this summer we will host a conference in London on the subject of religious freedom, led by my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce). This is an important issue for us.
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Q6 Partial Answer
David Lammy Lab
Tottenham
Context
The MP criticises the Prime Minister for not addressing India's stance on the Ukraine conflict during his visit.
Will the Foreign Secretary explain her failure to bring India into the international coalition condemning Putin's invasion of Ukraine?
Of course, I have discussed the issue of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine with the Indian Government, but the right hon. Gentleman is completely wrong if he thinks that the right approach for Britain is to go around finger-wagging to the rest of the world rather than working to build strong relationships and partnerships to attract India and others to work more closely with us.
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