A Scottish Labour MP has urged the UK Government to include the release of a Scots man detained in India when it reopens trade negotiations with the country.
Douglas McAllister has said the release of Jagtar Singh Johal should be a key part of the talks when Labour Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds goes to India next month.
Dumbarton man Johal was arrested in November 2017 in Punjab, northern India, while in the country for his wedding. He had been a campaigner for Sikh rights in India.
Johal is said to have been tortured, including with electric shocks, and faces the death penalty for eight charges in India.
He claims he was forced to sign a blank confession after being tortured and made to record a video which was broadcast on Indian TV.
The UK Government announced yesterday that it was restarting talks for a trade deal with India.
West Dunbartonshire MP McAllister said in the House of Commons on Thursday morning: “Whilst it’s appreciated that a new trade deal with India could support jobs in the UK and thus drive growth, can I ask the minister to include in the work underway across government to prepare for negotiations with India, that those discussions include the immediate of my West Dunbartonshire constituent Jagtar Singh Johal from arbitrary detention in India prior to concluding any trade deal?”
Junior business and trade minister Gareth Thomas said: “I recognise this is a very significant issue for my honourable friend.
“We remain absolutely committed to encouraging the government of India to see faster progress to resolve this case. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister raised this case with [Indian] Prime Minister Modi back on November 18. We made clear the need for faster progress towards a resolution on this issue.”
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