India refused to take illegal migrants back as UK didn’t extradite Nirav Modi: Priti Patel

Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel claimed during a recent interview that the Indian government has refused to repatriate thousands of illegal Indian migrants from the UK, citing the British state's failure to extradite fugitive businessman Nirav Modi. Patel made these remarks in the fourth episode of Diamond King, a new podcast exploring the life and downfall of Nirav Modi, released on Friday. The podcast was produced by Daily Telegraph journalists Rob Mendick and Mick Brown, who previously uncovered that Nirav Modi was openly residing in London in 2019. Patel, who served as the UK’s Home Secretary from 2019 to 2022, stated that India was “hugely angry” over the UK’s continued refusal to deport Nirav Modi, who remains in Pentonville Prison in London. She argued that the Indian government had “really pushed back” against efforts to repatriate illegal immigrants, including those who had overstayed their visas. Patel noted that the UK hosts “a very high number” of illegal Indian migrants, adding that her attempts to secure India’s agreement to accept failed asylum seekers were complicated by the high-profile case involving Nirav Modi. According to Patel, the Indian authorities declined to accept charter flights of undocumented individuals and faced challenges in verifying the identities of those being returned. She expressed frustration over the situation, stating that Nirav Modi should be serving his sentence in India. Despite earlier rumors suggesting that Nirav might have lost his appeal at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to block his extradition, he has remained in London. His legal team, represented by barrister Edward Fitzgerald KC, continues to oppose the move, with Fitzgerald telling The Times of India that they would continue fighting regardless of the outcome. The exact number of illegal Indian migrants currently residing in the UK remains unclear. While estimates of up to 100,000 were circulated in 2018, Indian officials at the time dismissed such figures as exaggerated. In May 2021, Britain and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on migration and mobility, which includes provisions for the return of illegal residents to either country. However, Kuldeep Shekhawat, head of the Overseas Friends of BJP UK and Europe, denied claims that India opposes the repatriation of illegal migrants, asserting that the country does not support illegal immigration anywhere in the world. Patel’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between the UK and India regarding immigration policy and the handling of cases involving high-profile individuals. The issue of Nirav Modi’s extradition has become emblematic of broader concerns about the treatment of undocumented migrants and the enforcement of international agreements. As the situation unfolds, both governments will likely continue to navigate complex diplomatic and legal landscapes, with the fate of Nirav Modi remaining uncertain despite repeated calls for his deportation.