While Vijay Mallya’s extradition case is dragging on, another Indian billionaire Nirav Modi is reported to be in UK, seeking political asylum in Britain. He was in America, as last reported by Indian press. One may wonder how he is able to travel so freely when his Indian passport has been cancelled. Then billionaire fugitives do not need legal papers, meant for only mortals like us!
It is outrageous for British government to link such extraditions of alleged Indian criminals wanted in India with much delayed agreement on some 75,000 Indians allegedly living here illegally. No wonder Britain is known throughout the world as safe haven, a soft touch, not only for criminals, but their ill-gotten bulking bank balances as well. There is no differentiation between spies who have betrayed their motherland, put lives of their fellow spies in danger, financial crooks who have stolen billions, illegal and economic migrants and even Chechen terrorists, warlords, wanted in Russia and other countries for mass murders.
It was the “Golden Age” of cooperation, friendship and instant connection between then British PM David Cameron and his Indian counterpart, PM Modi. Who can forget the tremendous, “Pop Star” reception at iconic “Wembley Stadium” with some 70K cheering British Indians occupying every seat available, on a bitterly cold winter day with drizzle and snowflakes descending from a grey, cloud laden sky?
It is difficult to understand stunning naivety of British “Foreign Policy” under PM May, as after Brexit, we will need every friend we could muster to make Brexit an economic success to validate our decision to leave EU in a fair and free referendum. Instead this government, isolated in EU, bullied by France and Germany, has spoiled relations with Russia, India and even America. No wonder President Trump refused to have one to one talk with Mrs. May at G7 Summit in Canada, instead preferring to have private talks with Canadian PM Justin James Trudeau and young, dynamic French President Emmanuel Macron, who now occupies pride of place in American political circle.
Luminary Indian PM Narendra Modi is a trusted and well-liked politician on the “World Stage” receiving tremendous, Bollywood film star like welcome wherever he goes, even in Islamic countries of the Middle East. It is time for PM Modi to put his foot down and confront the bull by the horn, as Britain needs India more than India needs Britain.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
