Britain Includes India in List of Repressive Countries
Britain Includes India in List of Repressive Countries after the U.S., placing India among 12 nations accused of transnational repression on British soil. This landmark report from the UK Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), released July 30, 2025, alleges credible evidence of Indian state-linked targeting of the Sikh diaspora and activist communities in the UK Freedom House15Bhaskar English15PTI News15.
Report Highlights and Context
- The JCHR report names India alongside Bahrain, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and UAE—accused of exerting pressure, intimidation, or surveillance over critics and dissidents residing in the UK Bhaskar English1The Times of India1.
- Evidence focused heavily on cases involving Sikhs for Justice, a banned pro‑Khalistan group in India. The report cites coordinated harassment and publicising activists’ names, raising serious human rights concerns Kashmir Media Service2Bhaskar English2The Times of India2.
- JCHR committee members called these acts “transnational repression,” noting impacts such as fear, restricted movement, and erosion of safety for targeted individuals and communities Amnesty International15committees.parliament.uk15The Times of India15.
What Is Transnational Repression?
Defined as governments extending coercive measures beyond their borders, transnational repression includes intimidation, surveillance, threats to family members, digital harassment, misuse of Interpol notices, and even violence committees.parliament.uk.
Freedom House and Human Rights Watch document hundreds of such incidents globally, with India identified among the more active perpetrators TIME2Wikipedia2Freedom House2.
Relevance of India’s Inclusion
India’s listing marks a rare case of Western democratic scrutiny. The allegations echo high-profile concerns:
- The 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which Canadian officials have linked to Indian agents, exemplifies lethal reach outside national borders TIME1Kashmir Media Service1.
- Allegations include monitoring of gurdwaras, intimidation of diaspora activists, and Pakistani‑style surveillance tactics deployed by Indian agencies through proxies or diplomatic missions in the UK Kashmir Media Service.
UK Government Measures & Policy Gaps
- The UK government has acknowledged rising threats: MI5 has reported a 48% increase in state‑threat inquiries since 2022. Yet formal policy frameworks remain incomplete thetimes.co.uk1The Times of India1.
- The JCHR recommends establishing:
- A formal legal definition of transnational repression,
- Specialized training for police and MI5 on political interference,
- A helpline and reporting infrastructure for victims,
- Clear diplomatic and Interpol reforms to address misuse of Red Notices Sikh Siyasat News2The Week2PTI News2committees.parliament.uk.
- Freedom House analysis notes UK immigration rules may compound risks: India is included in an augmented list of “safe countries” that makes asylum harder for those fleeing repression Freedom House.
Historical & Political Significance
India’s inclusion follows long-standing diplomatic caution. Britain historically avoided overt criticism of India, partly rooted in colonial legacy dynamics. These events echo debates over historical accountability, including campaigns for an apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre Wikipedia.
Broader Implications
| Area | Implications |
|---|---|
| Human rights | Signals recognition of threats to diaspora freedoms in democratic states. |
| Diplomatic friction | Potential escalation in UK–India relations, especially amid parliamentary scrutiny. |
| Diaspora protection | Sets precedent for other democracies to evaluate Indian-linked activities targeting exiles. |
India’s Response & Reaction
- New Delhi has yet to issue an official response. Historically, India has denied allegations of targeting its diaspora abroad.
- Sikh diaspora groups in the UK, including Sikh Federation UK, have called for Indian PM to face accountability and demanded UK authorities act on the findings TIMEKashmir Media Service.
- Human rights advocates warn of escalating digital censorship and legal tactics like deportations and travel bans aimed at quelling dissent, especially relating to Kashmir or Khalistan activism Hindus for Human RightsFreedom House.
Conclusion
Britain Includes India in List of Repressive Countries marks a watershed moment: a Western democracy formally naming India among states accused of using coercive influence on its expatriate communities. This move elevates scrutiny of India’s overseas tactics, catalyzes debate on British legal protections, and underscores transnational repression as not just a foreign but a domestic policy challenge.
As calls grow for reforms—from tougher surveillance oversight to asylum policy shifts—this report places pressure on the UK and its democratic allies to more forcefully defend civil liberties, even when geopolitical complexity makes doing so difficult.
