British Prime minister Theresa May has rejected the calls to relax Indian visa rules and said that the UK has a “good system” for applications. “Nine out of 10 visa applications from India are already accepted,” she said.
“The UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if, at the same time, we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain,” she said.
British Prime Minister said that her government intends to make it easier for wealthy Indian business executives to come to the UK. A small group of high-net-worth individuals and their families will be offered access to the Great Club – a bespoke visa and immigration service – to make visa applications smoother.
“As we leave the EU, we want to ensure that the UK remains one of the most attractive countries in the world to do business and invest,” Mrs May had said.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in a technology summit at Delhi that he wanted to encourage “greater mobility” for its young people in education. He said: “Education is vital for our students and will define our engagement in a shared future.
“We must therefore encourage greater mobility and participation of young people in education and research opportunities.” He said that “movement of people” would form a key part of any trade negotiations.
“We need to immediately get the government, Theresa May, on this visit to announce and say ‘we’re no longer going to include international students within the net migration figures,'” crossbencher Lord Bilimoria said.
He added: “The reality is Theresa May when she was home secretary did deliver very, very negative messages towards immigration.” “She has got a lot of bridge-building to do when she goes to India.”
By Premji
