The Government of India has strongly rejected a recent British Parliamentary report that accuses New Delhi of engaging in transnational repression within the United Kingdom. The report, titled Transnational Repression in the UK, was released on July 30 by the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) of the UK Parliament and has triggered a sharp diplomatic response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The report places India alongside countries like China, Russia, and Iran, alleging that these governments have intimidated, surveilled, or harassed diaspora communities and political dissidents residing in the UK. India has not only dismissed the allegations but also questioned the credibility, motivation, and timing of the report, calling it a politically coloured narrative lacking factual basis.

India’s official response

In a press briefing held in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India categorically rejects the baseless and politically motivated claims made in the report. He stated that India is a vibrant democracy committed to the rule of law, individual freedoms, and due process, and that any suggestion of India engaging in repressive practices beyond its borders is completely unfounded.

Jaiswal added, The report makes sweeping generalisations without credible evidence and reflects a biased mindset. India has consistently respected the sovereignty of other nations and expects the same in return.

The Ministry further expressed disappointment that the British Parliament would publish such claims without meaningful engagement or substantiation, particularly when it concerns a strategic partner like India.

What the report alleges

The UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, released the report after conducting what it described as an in-depth inquiry into foreign interference and transnational repression. The committee claims that foreign states, including India, have used covert tactics to monitor and threaten individuals or groups in the UK, particularly those critical of foreign governments.

According to the report, India has allegedly surveilled and attempted to silence activists, journalists, and Sikh separatist groups based in the UK. The report refers to the controversial killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, suggesting that similar patterns of interference might exist in the UK.

While the report stops short of presenting conclusive evidence, it asserts that British law enforcement and intelligence services are aware of such threats and have taken steps to safeguard affected individuals. It urges the UK government to take a tougher stance against countries accused of transnational repression and to enhance protections for exiled political activists and diaspora communities.

India’s sovereignty and image at stake

The Indian government considers such accusations deeply harmful to its international image and an affront to its sovereignty. Officials say that lumping India with authoritarian regimes accused of suppressing dissent globally is not only unfair but diplomatically provocative.

New Delhi also pointed out that India and the UK share a robust and multifaceted relationship, including cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, education, science, and people-to-people exchanges. The timing of the report, coming just as both countries are inching toward the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement, has raised eyebrows.

We are puzzled as to why such a report would surface now, at a time when bilateral ties are on a strong trajectory. Such politically motivated content threatens to derail positive momentum, said a senior Indian diplomat, requesting anonymity.

Concerns from diaspora groups

The report’s release has triggered mixed reactions among the Indian diaspora in the UK. Some pro-Khalistan and human rights groups have welcomed the report, claiming it validates long-standing concerns of intimidation and covert monitoring by foreign agents.

However, many other diaspora organisations, including those representing mainstream Indian communities, have expressed scepticism about the claims. The National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) said in a statement that the overwhelming majority of Indians in the UK feel safe and integrated, and that painting India as a repressive actor only serves to polarise communities and promote fringe narratives.

We do not deny the need for vigilance against any form of foreign interference. However, portraying India—a democratic ally—as an aggressor is not only inaccurate but potentially harmful to UK-India ties, said Sanam Arora, Chairperson of NISAU.

Diplomatic reverberations

The Indian High Commission in London has also issued a statement rejecting the allegations made in the report. It said that India does not and will not interfere in the internal affairs of another country, and that any concerns must be addressed through legal and diplomatic channels rather than public insinuations.

The High Commission noted that UK-based extremist elements have often engaged in hate speech, violence, and propaganda against India, and it is New Delhi that has been urging the UK authorities to take stronger actions against these groups.

India had earlier expressed deep dissatisfaction over the UK’s handling of the 2023 incident in which Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian High Commission in London, tearing down the Indian flag. At the time, India had summoned the British High Commissioner in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest.

Growing Western scrutiny

India has in recent months faced increased scrutiny from several Western nations regarding its alleged role in targeting dissidents abroad, especially in light of Canada’s accusations in 2023 that Indian officials may have been linked to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and known Khalistan supporter.

While India has vehemently denied any such role, and Canadian authorities have yet to provide concrete evidence, the controversy has cast a shadow on India’s diplomatic relations with some members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

The UK report now appears to be influenced by this broader trend, although Indian officials argue that equating India with authoritarian regimes is both unfair and dangerous.

We are a sovereign nation with a proud democratic tradition. We welcome criticism, but not slander, said an official from India’s National Security Council Secretariat.

Political implications in the UK

The report also comes at a sensitive time in British domestic politics, with general elections expected in 2026 and both the Conservative and Labour parties trying to court ethnic minority voters, including the large and influential Indian community.

Some analysts suggest that the report may be aimed at signalling firmness against foreign interference, but could end up alienating Indian-origin voters if it is perceived as anti-India.

There is also concern that such reports could embolden fringe separatist groups to further escalate tensions, particularly on British soil.

India’s broader diplomatic strategy

India is expected to raise the matter at the highest levels of diplomatic engagement with the UK. According to MEA sources, New Delhi will seek clarifications on the findings, question the methodology, and urge British lawmakers to refrain from politicising sensitive issues without due diligence.

India also plans to reiterate that it will continue to protect its national security interests, but always within the bounds of international law and mutual respect.

The MEA is also in touch with Indian missions across Europe and North America to counter similar narratives, as some NGOs and activist groups attempt to internationalise separatist movements under the guise of human rights.

Conclusion

The release of the UK Parliamentary report accusing India of transnational repression has created a diplomatic stir that could potentially strain otherwise strong India-UK relations. While the Indian government has categorically denied the allegations, it is also preparing a robust diplomatic and strategic response to ensure that its international reputation as a democracy is preserved.

India’s rejection of the report is not only about defending its global image but also about reasserting the principle of non-interference and mutual respect among nations. As geopolitical competition and diaspora activism continue to intersect, managing bilateral sensitivities with maturity and fairness will remain key for both New Delhi and London.

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