India: Minorities - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:29 pm on 2 July 2025.

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Photo of Baroness Chapman of Darlington Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister of State (Development) 3:29, 2 July 2025

I think that—how shall I put this?—the nature of our relationship with the Government of India changes in accordance with the nature of our position in relation to these conversations. It is a judgment: are these things best progressed in the way that we would all like if we take a hard line as part of a trade agreement, or are they best progressed in other ways? It is all about getting the right outcome for our relationship and for human rights. It is a constant judgment. At the moment, we are dealing with the trade negotiation in a separate track to our conversations about human rights. It is slightly different when it comes to labour rights and the treatment of workers and other such issues. However, it is fair for the noble Lord to raise this, and it was fair for us to use, when in Opposition, methods to raise our concerns that we may not feel we want to use in government.

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