Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Indian government on the use of torture on terror suspects; and if he will make a statement.

The Government stands firmly against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We recommended that the Indian government expedite ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) during India’s Universal Periodic Review in May 2012. The issue was also raised at the EU-Indian Human Rights Dialogue in December 2013. We will continue to encourage India and all countries to sign and ratify UNCAT and its Optional Protocol.