UK’s Labour Party Commits To Stamping Out “Anti-India Sentiments”

As the UK approaches the general election on July 4, the Opposition Labour Party is making a concerted effort to win back the British Indian vote. This demographic's support was crucially lost in the 2019 elections due to the party’s stance on international intervention in Kashmir, a resolution passed during an annual conference under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. This decision was perceived as alienating many British Indians, who saw it as a stance against India.

At a recent event aimed at the South Asian community in London, Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds emphasized the party’s commitment to eliminating any anti-India sentiments within its ranks. Speaking at the ‘Political Hustings’ event organized by 'Asian Voice' in partnership with City Sikhs and City Hindus Network, Dodds underscored Labour’s determination to not take any group of voters for granted. She reassured the audience that under the leadership of Keir Starmer, the party has taken significant steps to cleanse itself of members harboring extremist views, particularly those with pro-Khalistan sentiments.

“We would certainly never take any group of voters, wherever they’re from, for granted; we’re working hard for everyone’s votes,” Dodds stated. She called upon the British Indian community to provide information on any party representatives who may pose a threat to closer India-UK relations. Dodds highlighted Labour’s vision for a strategic partnership with India that extends beyond trade to include cooperation in new technologies, the environment, and security.

The Labour Party’s renewed focus on fostering a strong relationship with India comes at a crucial time. The Conservative Party, currently in power, has maintained a pro-India stance, exemplified by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Indian heritage and ongoing efforts to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Felicity Buchan, Minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, highlighted the Conservative Party's track record at the hustings. She praised the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora to the UK and emphasized the importance of the UK-India relationship.

“We have very strong historic and cultural ties, but there is so much to be done going forward. We are negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) at the moment… it’s a big priority for both our Prime Ministers,” Buchan said. She also noted collaborations in areas such as COVID vaccines and defence and security as key facets of the UK-India partnership.

The importance of finalizing the FTA was echoed by Lord Christopher Fox, a Liberal Democrat peer, who pointed out the immense benefits the deal could bring to the UK. Despite the negotiations being stalled in their fourteenth round, Fox emphasized the need for the UK to align itself with India's rapidly advancing economy and technology sector.

Pallavi Devulapalli, the Green Party spokesperson for health, social care, and public health, also underscored her party's commitment to strengthening ties with India. She highlighted the Green Friends of India group, which aims to foster India-UK relations through trade, cultural exchange, and other means.

As the election draws near, all parties are making a final push to garner support from the UK's 1.8 million-strong Indian diaspora. This significant electorate could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the election, making Labour's commitment to eradicating anti-India sentiments and building a robust partnership with India a critical aspect of their campaign strategy.