As part of a new drive by the Indian High Commissioner, the consular services in the United Kingdom, including visa, passport, and attestation are being taken to the Indian diaspora in widespread areas.
The Indian High Commissioner to the UK said that the initiative is part of a wide range of initiatives being undertaken by the mission to reach out to the community.
“The High Commission of India will continue its work tirelessly to further consolidate and deepen India-UK hugely beneficial ties as well as serve Indian citizens and people of Indian origin in the most efficient and friendly manner,” said Ghanashyam, during her address at a special Republic Day reception in London’s historic Guildhall on Monday evening. “The High Commission is bringing its consular services to the doorstep of the Indian diaspora,” she noted.
The mission has been organizing regular “surgeries” in different parts of the UK since earlier this year during which a team of Indian mission officials assists people with their paperwork accompanying applications for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), passport renewal, and other certificate and attestation requirements.
“These services are being coordinated on a need-basis and based on requests received from the Indian community members. Our aim is to be able to assist anyone who is unable to make the journey to London or other consulates,” a high commission official explained.
In his keynote address, the chief guest at the annual Republic Day reception this year, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Jeremy Wright, noted that 2019 will also involve Britain welcoming the Indian cricket team for the World Cup in June. He added “The economic relationship between our countries is a thriving one. I understand that the issue of visas is certainly an important one. Last year, we saw a 33 percent increase in student visas issued alongside a 10 percent increase in visitor visas. The UK issued more Tier 2 skilled work visas to India than all the other countries in the world combined”.
The annual event, hosted by the Indian High Commission in the heart of London’s financial district this year, was attended by a large number of guests from the Indian diaspora as well as senior political personalities.
–Sowmya
