New Delhi: British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday said that the legal processes in the United Kingdom were as same as in India, independent from the government. The British diplomat's comment came in the context of the extradition of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallaya. Speaking to news agency ANI, the British official said, "The legal process in the UK, just as it is in India, is independent of the govt. We always want to see the machinery of the justice system working promptly but those are the decisions of the British Judicial system." 


Speaking on the sidelines of G20 Cleverly also responded to a question about violent crimes against Indians in the UK: "Everyone in UK irrespective of their origin has right to live in peace & security. We take security of people of UK seriously...We want to make it clear to Indians, UK is welcoming place for them." 


The two-day G20 foreign ministers meeting begins this evening and the main discussions will take place on Thursday.






It will be one of largest gathering of foreign ministers to be hosted by any G20 presidency, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said.


He said around 40 delegations, including 13 from international organisations, are expected to participate in the G20 foreign ministers' meeting.


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, France's Catherine Colonna, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Germany's Annalena Baerbock and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly are among those attending the India-hosted meeting.


A number of foreign ministers of non-G20 countries, including that of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, are also attending the meet following India's invitation as guests.


The foreign ministers are also likely to discuss ways to deal with falling economic growth, increasing inflation, lower demands for goods and services as well as increasing prices of food, fuel and fertilisers.


However, the major flashpoint between the West and Russia-China combine is expected to be on the Ukraine conflict even as India is set to make all out efforts to bring out a joint statement following the crucial meeting.


(With inputs from PTI)