Friday, March 29, 2024

India counter UK Home Secretary’s claim on visa overstayers

India has countered the claim of U.K. Home Secretary Suella Braverman that the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) had not “worked very well” to say that India had initiated action on all cases raised with it under the agreement.

Braverman, in an interview to a magazine, branded Indians as the “largest group of people who overstay” their visas in the UK.

The comments drew widespread criticism from Indians on social media.

Indian High Commission said that India awaits “demonstrable progress” on certain commitments undertaken by the UK government under the MMP that was signed last year.

“As part of our wider discussions under Migration and Mobility, the government of India is committed to working with the government of the UK to facilitate the return of Indian citizens who have overstayed their visa period here in the UK,” the High Commission of India said in a statement.

Braverman described the matter as a concern for the free trade agreement which India and the United Kingdom are looking to finalise by the end of this year.

Easing immigration rules is part of the agreement.

“As per the data shared with the Home Office, as of date, action has been initiated on all of the cases referred to the High Commission. Further, the UK has also undertaken to fulfil certain commitments as part of the Migration and Mobility Protocol, on which we await demonstrable progress,” India retaliated.

“While certain issues pertaining to Mobility and Migration are currently under discussion as part of these negotiations, any comment on these matters may not be appropriate given that the negotiations are underway, and that any arrangement will include issues of interest to both sides,” the High Commission said.

Braverman, the Indian-origin minister who took charge at the Home Office last month, said she had “concerns” over the FTA with India fearing what she termed as an “open borders” migration policy.

“I have concerns about having an open borders migration policy with India because I don’t think that’s what people voted for with Brexit,” Braverman said.

“We even reached an agreement with the Indian government last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well.”

Ms. Braverman’s contention that the MMP has “not worked very well” indicate that she is likely to withhold Cabinet backing for any visa concessions for India as part of an FTA.

For India, ease of mobility for students and professionals has always been a key aspect of any trade agreement.

spot_img

Don't Miss

Related Articles