NEW DELHI: Issues like Khalistani extremism were discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Kier Starmer during the meeting held on Thursday, ministry of external affairs said.During a press conference, MEA secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modi told Starmer that violent extremism should not be allowed to abuse freedoms provided by societies.“Khalistani extremist issue was discussed during meeting held today between PM Modi and PM Starmer,” Misri said.“PM emphasised that radicalism & violent extremism had no space in democratic societies & should not be allowed to use or abuse the freedoms provided by societies, and there was a need to move against them in the legal framework available on both sides,” he added.

This comes as PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer broadly focusing on boosting the India-UK ties in areas of trade, defence and security and critical technology.India has been flagging its concerns to the UK over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements. There have been increasing concerns in India about activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the UK, especially after an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March 2023.The British leader, accompanied by a delegation of 125 of the UK’s most prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs and educationists, landed in Mumbai on Wednesday morning on a two-day visit.Starmer’s visit to India came two-and-half months after the two countries inked a landmark free trade pact that will increase market access, cut tariffs and is expected to result in doubling the bilateral trade by 2030.