Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Indian Government on the murder of Sultan Masih in the North Western State of Pubjab; and what progress is being made to bring the people responsible for that murder to justice.

The British Government condemns all instances of discrimination and violence against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned.

The UK Government engages regularly with Indian counterparts on a range of human rights issues, including religious freedom and minority rights, as guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. The British High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commissions across India maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation in India and hold a regular dialogue with the Indian National Commission for Minorities.

FCO officials in New Delhi also regularly meet senior faith leaders (including Christians) to discuss matters such as religious tolerance, including most recently in September with Muslim, Jain and LGBT groups. The British Government also oversees a number of projects in India to help promote minority rights and combat discrimination.