The Ministry of External Affairs has countered a recent UK report accusing India of ‘transnational repression’ — dismissing it as ‘baseless allegations’.
“We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations. These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility. The deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself,” the MEA said.
The report published by the British Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights had listed India alongside countries such as China, Iran, Russia, Pakistan and UAE — citing witnesses to accuse them of engaging in “transnational repression” or TNR within the UK.
What did the UK report say?
The report titled ‘Transnational repression in the UK’ was made public on July 30 and flagged India as a “country of concern” that was suspected of conducting TNR activities on UK soil. Some of the details related to India cited in the report were reportedly provided by Sikhs for Justice — a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act — and other UK-based Sikh groups.
“China, Russia and Iran were highlighted by witnesses as the three most flagrant TNR perpetrators in the UK. Notably, all three of these countries have imposed sanctions on UK Parliamentarians, including two members of this Committee, in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to deter scrutiny and suppress criticism,” it added.
What does transnational repression mean?
Transnational repression is a term used to outline government actions that go beyond their jurisdiction and national borders — to silence, punish, or control dissent among exiles, diaspora populations, or political critics living abroad. It is often used by authoritarian regimes to extend their reach and target those perceived as a threat to their interests. The UK report notes that there is no universally accepted definition with the scope and other factors varying across the globe.
“The UK Government has chosen not to adopt a formal definition of TNR, opting instead to describe it as “certain foreign state-directed crimes against individuals”…Without a clear definition of what constitutes TNR, it is difficult to collect
reliable data on the scale and nature of TNR activities,” the report added.
(With inputs from agencies)