Just 24 hours before he met Keir Starmer, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his ‘warm birthday greetings’ to his ‘friend’, the Russia President Vladimir Putin
Keir Starmer has pressed India’s Prime Minister on the country’s purchase of Russian oil – used to bankroll Moscow’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
The PM, who held a meeting with Narendra Modi on Thursday, said the controversial issue was discussed as they met in the country’s tech capital Mumbai.
Just 24 hours earlier, the Indian Prime Minister had also sent his “warm birthday greetings” to his “friend”, the Russia despot Vladimir Putin”. India continues to buy discounted Russian oil – a move that has led to Donald Trump slapping penalty tariffs on the country.
Asked whether the issue of India buying Moscow’s oil was raised during his talks with Mr Modi, Mr Starmer said: “Yes, we did discuss that this morning with President Modi, and we each went through the steps we’re taking to bring about a resolution of the conflict.
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“We emphasised, in particular, our focus on the [Russian] shadow fleet and the work that we’re doing leading the coalition of the willing.”
Mr Starmer also said he had raised the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist who has been locked up in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without conviction.
The 38-year-old Sikh activist, from Dumbarton near Glasgow, was arrested in November 2017 in India – just weeks after his wedding there. Mr Johal who faces terror charges was acquitted earlier this year in one case but he still faces charges from Indian authorities.
“We did raise the consular cases,” Mr Starmer told reporters. “We always raise them when we have the opportunity to do so.” The PM said the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, would meet with the family of the 38-year-old in the “coming weeks”.
Jagtar’s brother, Gurpreet, said: “I’m glad to hear the Prime Minister has raised Jagtar’s case. But the lack of detail and the lack of progress is extremely disappointing for the family – especially Jagtar’s wife who will spend her eighth wedding anniversary without her husband.
“I will meet the Foreign Secretary next month and hopefully agree a plan of action. In the meantime I guess we just have to hope that when the Prime Minister says that he’s raising Jagtar’s case, that means he’s working to get him home. It would be shattering if this turns out to be more empty talk.”
Despite differences on the war in Ukraine and Russia, the PM talked up ties between India and the UK.
Wrapping up his two-day visit to Mumbai, the PM said the new trade deal – signed in the summer -was “opening up new opportunities in India for British businesses”. He also highlighted the announcement this week of three new Bollywood blockbusters being made in the UK.
He added: “The opportunity is clear. Just look at the sheer scale of India: the world’s largest democracy, on track to become the third largest economy by 2028, an economic superpower in the making. And we are perfectly placed to be partners on that journey.
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