Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what upcoming discussions he has planned with his Indian counterpart on (a) the death of Friar Stan Swamy and (b) the treatment of other human rights activists in that country.

I was saddened to hear of Father Swamy's passing on July 5, aged 84. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon raised Father Swamy's case with India's Foreign Secretary, Harsh Shringla, and India's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kishan Reddy, on 15 March while in India. I also discussed Father Swamy's case with the Indian High Commissioner on 8 June. The British High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commission in Mumbai had been following Father Swamy's case closely.

Human Rights Defenders make an essential contribution to the promotion of the rights of their fellow citizens. They face growing threats around the world and the UK works with international partners to support them through organisations like Lifeline and Frontline Defenders, and through our overseas network of embassies and high commissions. In June, the UK and India subscribed to the G7 2021 Open Societies Statement, which makes clear our countries' shared belief in the importance of human rights for all, and the role of human rights defenders in promoting fundamental freedoms.

In India we work with Union and State Government, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to build capacity and exchange expertise on human rights issues. Human rights discussions will continue to form part of our broad and deep bilateral relationship.