UK, India Sign Pact on Illegal Immigrants and Int’l Criminals

The pacts were signed by Indian junior home minister Kiren Rijiju with British immigration minister Caroline Nokes.

Indian and British Prime Ministers. Image used for representational purpose.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@MEAIndia)

The British home office has announced that Britain and India have signed a memorandum of understanding that will help tackle international criminality and return illegal immigrants in the UK to India, the Telegraph reported on Monday.

The pacts were signed by Indian junior home minister Kiren Rijiju along with British Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes. With regard to the pact, Rijiju has spoken optimistically of indrustrialist Vijay Mallya being sent back to India to face trial.

However, the British government is not able to effect the extradition proceedings in the court.

"The agreement on returns paves the way for a quicker and more efficient process for documenting and returning Indian nationals who have no right to be in the UK to India," The Telegraph quoted the British home office as saying.

Following the finalising of the MoU, Rijiju tweeted, "We finalised the long-pending India-UK MoU on the return of illegal migrants; sharing of criminal records. Discussed issues of visas for dependents; students, social security, distressed Indian women; extradition."

According to Britain, the pact will lead to British and Indian law-enforcement bodies sharing information, fingerprints and intelligence, in order to be able to assist each other better in protecting the people from known criminals since this will help in exchanging criminal records, the Telegraph reported.

The pact will also allow courts in both the countries access to more information to decide on a tough sentence.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, in her November 2016 visit to Delhi, had promised that the UK will consider improvements to their Visa offer if they can step up the speed and volume of return of Indians with no right to stay in the UK.

With inputs from The Telegraph.)

(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at [e-mail]. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)