They Are Broke: This Is the Equivalent of Searching for Change Under the Cushions

Britain has found a new way to collect funds from its former colonies—through parking fines. The Indian mission in London has been asked to pay over £9 million in congestion charges.

Referring to it as a 'parking bill,' the charge is a £15 daily fee levied on vehicles entering central London, intended to reduce traffic and pollution.

However, India, along with several other countries—including the US and Japan—argues that under Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, such charges constitute a tax from which diplomats are exempt.

The £15 daily fee applies to all vehicles in central London. India claims this is a tax, not a service, while the UK disagrees.

The revenue dispute has developed into a diplomatic standoff. The UK views the congestion charge as a service fee that all individuals should pay, irrespective of their diplomatic status. In contrast, India and several other nations argue that it constitutes a tax and should, therefore, not be paid by diplomats. As of mid-2025, the United States reportedly owes around £15 million, Japan £10 million, and the total amount owed by diplomatic missions in London exceeds £143 million.

The situation is seen by many as a legal and diplomatic dispute, highlighting the ongoing complexities in the UK's relationships with some of its largest trade and diplomatic partners.

This is an ongoing story. Please check back for the latest updates.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

“Instead of returning looted treasures, Britain has sent India a parking bill totaling £9 million.”

— Source: Credit: First Post/Palki Sharma

Britain Sends India a £9 Million Parking Bill

Britain has found a new way to collect dues from its former colonies—through parking fines. The Indian mission in London has been asked to pay over £9 million in congestion charges. The £15 daily fee applies to all vehicles in… pic.twitter.com/QLIY9H5y9T

— Augadh (@AugadhBhudeva) August 5, 2025

If we consider debts, Britain owes significantly more, with a loot value of $45 trillion, including antiques and artifacts such as the Kohinoor, which rests on the crown, according to credible sources.

'What about the parking fee of the damaged stealth war plane parked in India for a month. Who's going to pay for it and the food and lodging for all the men that came to repair it,' another source reported.