Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his (a) Indian counterpart and (b) other international counterparts on alleged (i) internet and mobile suspensions, (ii) arbitrary arrests and (iii) other human rights abuses and the suspension of civil liberties in India.

The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India and we discuss all elements of our relationship. We remain committed to championing democracy and human rights around the world. Where we have issues, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at Ministerial level.  The Minister for South Asia, Lord [Tariq] Ahmad of Wimbledon, regularly speaks to the High Commissioner of India. Human rights and civil liberties forms part of that dialogue. Our networks across India regularly meet civil society groups and run projects promoting human rights.