Curtailing UK
Visa is affecting trade ties with India as per the latest report published by
the UK Members of Parliament. The UK has fallen behind other nations in its
share of fast-growing trade in India. This is chiefly due to the restricted
immigration policies in the UK, add the MPs.
The report has
been published by the Commons Overseas Affairs Select Committee. Neglecting the
time-honoured ties with India is a ‘costly
missed opportunity’ adds the report. It notes that the UK has slipped to the 17th position in 2018-19 from being the
second largest trade partner of India in 1998-99.
The report of
the Committee highlights the difficulty
that would be faced by the UK in developing fresh trade ties after its exit
from the EU. This is unless it relaxes UK Visa curbs welcoming more
overseas students, workers, and tourists.
The Global Strategy of the UK is hardly being
communicated in India, says the report. However, the hostile ambiance
message is being communicated loud and clear, it added. This was referring to
the conflict between post-Brexit trade strategy by Prime Minister Theresa May
and her target to reduce net yearly immigration to less than 100,000.
Commons Overseas Affairs Select Committee MPs have asked the UK Government to be honest regarding its
priorities. This is because the goals were conflicting, they added.
The Government of India has clarified that it is no
hurry to sign the trade deal with the UK. This is unless the curbs on UK Visa
are significantly reduced.
A Trade Expert
at a think-tank the Centre for European
Reform Sam Lowe has said that the UK will have to be clear in its
priorities. It will have to develop an immigration regime that is
talent-friendly if it has to emerge as the services trading hub globally. This
is rather than keeping the talents out, added Lowe, as quoted by the FT.
The MPs added
that there is no reason for the policies
that have resulted in the UK losing ground in attracting students and tourists
from India. This is something that is endorsed by some of the senior
Ministers of the UK Cabinet.
Sajid Javid has openly announced his intent to dump
the numerical target for annual net immigration to the UK. He also called for ending the curbs imposed by Mrs. May on overseas
students. It is for those who intend to remain in the UK after graduating from
UK Universities.
The numbers of
students from India arriving in the UK for studies have almost reduced by 50%.
The figures reached 20,000 in 2017-18 from 40,000 in 2009-10.
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