July 24, 2025: As the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is going to be signed in London today, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has strongly criticized the Modi government, saying that what India really wants from the UK is a better Fugitive Transfer Agreement.
Ramesh used X to stress that three well-known fugitives—Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi—are still waiting to come back to India. He also hinted that there may be others. Today in London, Prime Minister Modi will be there to sign the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Ramesh wrote, “India needs the UK to announce another and better FTA (Fugitive Transfer Agreement).”
He went on to say, “Three stars of the Modi Model of bhagodanomics are still waiting for their ghar waapsi: Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi.” There are probably more people like this.
In India, all three people have been accused of serious financial wrongdoing and then fled to London to escape being charged.
Ramesh’s statements show how hard it is for India to bring economic criminals to justice, even though the India-UK FTA is expected to help. The trade deal aims to get rid of or lower tariffs on almost 99% of Indian exports. This will make it easier for British companies to sell goods to India. By 2030, the deal is expected to double trade between the two countries, giving Indian goods access to all markets.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri talked about the ongoing attempts to get these fugitives sent back to the UK. Misri said that the Indian government is still “making the case” for their return before Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to the UK and the Maldives.
“There are some doubts about people who have fled Indian law and justice and are now in the UK. Both sides have talked about these, and we have kept making the case that these fugitives should be sent back to India. “Of course, there is a legal process that these kinds of requests and problems go through in the other country,” Foreign Secretary Misri said at a press conference. “We are still working very closely with our partners in the UK on these.”
The FTA promises big economic benefits, but Congress’s criticism shows that there is also a need for a stronger system to help bring back people who are wanted by Indian law.
The current status of fugitives is:
Vijay Mallya: His last official appeal against extradition was turned down in 2020, although the order hasn’t been carried out yet. He is said to still be fighting extradition on various legal grounds.
The UK High Court has turned down Nirav Modi’s last plea against extradition. The court said that going back to India would not infringe his human rights. The UK Home Office is now in charge of carrying out his extradition.
Lalit Modi: In February 2025, reports said that Lalit Modi had become a citizen of Vanuatu. This raised doubts about his extradition, since India and Vanuatu don’t have a treaty that allows for it. Foreign Secretary Misri, on the other hand, said on July 22, 2025, that India is still pushing for his extradition from the UK.