UK Sanctions Khalistani Terror Entities, India Welcomes Decision

December 8, 2025

New Delhi: India on Monday welcomed the action taken by the United Kingdom (UK) government against anti-India Khalistani extremist elements and expressed hope that both sides would continue to work closely to further strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation.

MEA Welcomes UK Sanctions

Addressing a regular media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UK’s move strengthens the global fight against terrorism and helps curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networks.

Reacting to the UK government’s action against Babbar Khalsa operative Gurpreet Singh Rehal and the Babbar Akali Lehar group, Jaiswal said, “We welcome the steps taken by the UK government to sanction anti-India extremist entities. Such individuals and entities pose a threat not just to India and the UK, but to people across the world. We look forward to continuing to work very closely with the UK in strengthening counter-terrorism and security cooperation.”

UK Action Against Khalistani Entities

On December 4, the UK Treasury announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who is suspected of links to terror activities in India. An asset freeze was also imposed on the group Babbar Akali Lehar for promoting and supporting a terrorist organisation.

According to the UK government statement, Rehal was found to be involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar’s terrorist activities, including recruitment, providing financial services, supporting operations, and assisting in the procurement of weapons and military equipment.

All funds owned or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar in the UK are now subject to an asset freeze, preventing UK individuals and entities from dealing with their financial or economic resources.

Modi–Starmer Talks on Extremism

The Khalistani extremist issue was also raised earlier during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer during the latter’s visit to India in October.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Modi underlined that radicalism and violent extremism have no space in democratic societies and should not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms.

“Yes, the issue had come up earlier and was flagged again. The Prime Minister emphasised that extremist forces must be dealt with firmly within the legal frameworks available to both sides,” Misri said.

India has repeatedly conveyed its concerns over the presence and activities of Khalistani extremists in the UK.

During his visit to Britain in July, PM Modi had also warned against extremist ideologies misusing democratic freedoms. He thanked Prime Minister Starmer and the UK government for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and said there must be no double standards in the fight against terrorism.

His remarks came amid growing concerns over Khalistani extremists creating disturbances at the Indian High Commission in London in the past.