India denounces 'baseless allegations' in UK report on transnational repression

Reacting to the report, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote: "We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations."

Jaiswal further said: "These claims stem from unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility."

Jaiswal said the deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself.

The report was published by the British Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights.

The report listed India among several nations like China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Bahrain, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates that are allegedly engaged in transnational repression (TNR).

Defining TNR

There is currently no universally accepted definition of TNR, and no formal definition has been adopted in the UK.

"Foreign governments, non-governmental organisations and multilateral organisations have adopted varying definitions of the term," the report said.

Definitions vary not only in the types of activities included within their scope, but also in the categories of individuals considered to be affected, and in the motivations attributed to the perpetrating states.