Rishi Sunak’s UK government is in talks with India on whether to increase the number of business visas granted to Indian nationals as part of a potential trade deal, a stance that is likely to create friction in the new prime minister’s top team. carries a risk of.
Business visas remain an area of ”active dialogue” in the discussion, Trade Minister Greg Hands told the House of Commons on Wednesday. He said negotiations on the majority of the deal have been completed.
The government has been trying to highlight the benefits of Brexit by adding new trade deals since leaving the EU, and Hands said a deal with India would give exporters more access to a billion consumers. But the easing of visa regime craze – Britain’s first British prime minister of Indian origin – could come on a collision course with Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who recently expressed concerns about the arrangements.
Braverman, a staunch Brexiteer whose parents are also both of Indian descent, appeared to oppose the more liberal visa policy in an interview with Spectator earlier this month, saying: “I have some reservations. Look at migration in this country – the largest group of people who spend the most time are Indian diaspora.”
sunki is already under pressure to appoint Braverman back to the position he had left just a week earlier due to a security breach that he himself admitted violated the minister’s rules.
Braverman also told Spectator that he was “concerned about an open border migration policy with India because I don’t think people voted for Brexit.”
no immigration
At the time, the British press reported that his comments provoked the anger of former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who wanted a more flexible migration policy in his short-term effort to spur growth.
But Hands suggested that increasing the number of temporary business visas for Indians was a separate issue for permanent stay. “In the business sector, what we are talking about is the Mode Four Arrangement. These are not immigration systems. These pertain to business visas and not permanent settlements.”
So far, 16 chapters have been agreed in 26 policy areas, according to Hands, who said talks would resume “soon”.
Hands said, “We are working towards the best deal for both sides and until we have an agreement that is fair, reciprocal and ultimately in the best interest of the British people and the UK economy, we will sign.” will not do.”
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed.
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