New Delhi [India], July 24 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised the Modi government ahead of the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), emphasising that what India truly needs from the UK is a more effective Fugitive Transfer Agreement.
Ramesh pointed out that three notable fugitives, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi, are still awaiting their return to India, suggesting there may be others as well.
Sharing an X post, Jairam Ramesh stated that India requires an announcement from the United Kingdom (UK) regarding a fugitive transfer agreement (FTA).
"The India-UK FTA (Free Trade Agreement) will be signed today in London in the presence of Prime Minister Modi. What India needs from the UK is the announcement of another and more effective FTA (Fugitive Transfer Agreement)."
He added that India is still awaiting the return of fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi from the UK.
"After all, three stars of the Modi Model of bhagodanomics are still waiting for their ghar waapsi -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi. There may well be others too," the X post read.
Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya have all been accused of financial fraud in separate cases in India. All had fled to London to escape the charges.
Ramesh's comments highlight the ongoing challenges in bringing economic offenders to justice, despite the expected benefits of the India-UK FTA, such as tariff elimination, agreement is expected to benefit 99% of Indian exports from tariffs and make it easier for British firms to export products to India and trade boost,which aims to double bilateral trade between the two nations by 2030 and provide comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian government is continuing to "make the case" for the extradition of the fugitives from the United Kingdom (UK) as part of their ongoing efforts to secure the return of these individuals wanted for legal proceedings in India.
Addressing a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK and the Maldives, Misri noted that both India and the UK have held talks on the matter and that they are continuing their efforts to extradite these fugitives to India.
"There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and Indian justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these," the Foreign Secretary said.
Meanwhile, the Free Trade Agreement is likely to eliminate or reduce tariffs on imports and exports between the two nations. This should make Indian products competitive in the UK and vice versa. Both nations desire to increase their trade to USD 120 billion by 2030.