The boy, who stayed at a children's home set up by the clergyman, said he was kidnapped and taken to New Delhi where he was molested in cheap hostels.

But by the time a warrant was issued for Robinson's arrest, the married cleric had returned home to Wales. Judges at the High Court in Madras have now agreed to lift an Interpol 'wanted' alert in the hope that he will voluntarily fly to India to face trial.

A fugitive Church of England vicar has been told by judges to return to India where he faces charges of sexually assaulting a boy of 15 (file image of New Delhi)

Mr Justice Kirubakaran said: 'When child sex abuse is universal and many innocent children are becoming victims, the fight against child abuse has to be fought with the cooperation of all countries by unified action.' Robinson has said the allegations are without foundation but his lawyers have so far failed to have the case dismissed.

When child sex abuse is universal and many innocent children are becoming victims, the fight against child abuse has to be fought with the cooperation of all countries by unified action.

Robinson set up a children's home 17 years ago in Vallioor in the south of India. His alleged victim was one of 33 disadvantaged children as young as ten living there.

The project was run by a sister arm of The Grail Trust UK, a British-based charity founded by Robinson and he would visit about twice a year.

The child claims the vicar took him from the home in 2011 and assaulted him twice at cheap YMCA hostels in India's capital. When the original allegations were made in 2011 UK child exploitation officials met with police in Wales to discuss the case and the possible monitoring of Robinson. Last night Christine Beddoe, a former director of the children's charity ECPAT UK, urged him to 'fully co-operate with the authorities' and volunteer to go to India.

Mr Robinson, who resigned as head of his charity in 2012, appears to know former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Williams through their work with the Alister Hardy Trust. A blog for the vicar's religious book Crossing Boundaries carries a recommendation by Dr Williams, who was said to be 'uncontactable' this week.

The boy, who stayed at a children's home set up by the clergyman, said he was kidnapped and taken to New Delhi where he was molested in cheap hostels (file image of market in India)

The boy, who stayed at a children's home set up by the clergyman, said he was kidnapped and taken to New Delhi where he was molested in cheap hostels (file image of market in India)

Over a 40-year career Robinson held posts at churches in London, Surrey, Bath and Herefordshire before retiring in 2001. In 2011 he returned to duties in Hereford as a non stipendiary 'priest in charge'.

He and his wife Christine lived for many years in Montgomery, Wales but in February they bought a £330,000 five-bedroom home in the village of Martock, Somerset.

Robinson refused to comment on the case this week. A spokesman for the Church of England said it could not comment at this stage.

END