Afghanistan:
On the 15th July, it was revealed that a data leak of personal information of over 18,000 Afghans who applied to resettlement in the UK occurred in February 2022. As a result, a secret scheme was created to relocate Afghans at risk of reprisals from the Taliban due to the leak. A super injunction was served to journalists and others aware of the leak in 2023 to protect those named in the leak. It is believed that the leak risked affecting up to 100,000 people.
Bangladesh:
Questions remain over whether British politician and niece of overthrown Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq, has benefitted materially or politically from corruption in Bangladesh.
India:
- The British foreign secretary (David Lammy) was requested to intervene in the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, who remains in an Indian prison despite being acquitted of terrorism charges. His case hearing has been deferred until after summer.
- The UK and India concluded the long awaited trade deal on 6th May, as a result of which it is predicted that each and every year in the long run, UK GDP will increase by £4.8 billion and UK wages by £2.2 billion. Bilateral trade is also expected to increase by £25.5 billion.
- On the 7th May, Lammy urged restraint by both India and Pakistan after escalations following the Pahalgam terror attack.
- An Air India flight enroute from Ahmedabad to London crashed after less than a minute after takeoff, killing all but one passenger onboard and 19 people on the ground.
Pakistan:
- Mid-May saw the first visit of a British foreign secretary to Pakistan since 2021 shortly after the ceasefire with India, reiterating the importance of peace and security for their bilateral relationship and for British Pakistanis.
- A first partnership has occurred between an NHS Trust and a Pakistani hospital. It’ll support the creation of and specialists at a new 250-bed hospital set to open in Islamabad in 2026.
- The inaugural ministerial-led Trade Dialogue between Pakistan and the UK was held in London on 14th July, to discuss how to increase bilateral trade, which increased by £320 million to £4.7 billion in October-December 2024 as compared to 2023.
- The UK govt launched eVisas to replace physical documents for Pakistani students and workers on 15th July.
- Pakistan was removed from the UK’s Air Safety List on 16th July because the country has met international aviation standards. Pakistani airlines can once again apply to operate to the UK.
Sri Lanka:
On the 10th July, the UK unveiled reforms to simplify imports from countries like Sri Lanka to enable more goods to enter the UK tariff-free.
