India to raise visa issue with UK

Updated on: Wednesday, September 28, 2011

India is expected to raise the problems faced by Indians in getting visa to the UK with the visiting British Secretary of State for Justice here on Sept 27.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who will meet UK Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke, may convey to him "that UK immigration measures proposed will result in a numerical capping of non-EU migrants to UK".

The UK norms could reduce access of skilled Indians and restrict flow of human capital thereby impacting profit margins, competitiveness as also viability of Indian skilled workers, a Commerce Ministry official said.

Restrictions on the movement of people, especially professionals and highly skilled personnel will adversely affect the growing trade and economic partnership between the countries, the official said.

Sharma is also likely to raise the issue of maximum residue levels of pesticides in food and feed.

Besides, both the ministers may also discuss the progress of negotiations of India-European Union Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).

The UK is the fourth largest investor in India with FDI from Britain totalling USD 9.12 billion during April 2000-June 2011.

The bilateral trade between the nations in 2010-11 grew by 15.45 per cent to USD 12.33 billion. The trade balance is in the favour of India.

Exports from India to UK stood at USD 7.2 billion, while imports were USD 5.15 billion during the last fiscal.

There are more than 700 Indian companies with investments in the UK; about two-thirds are in the ICT/software sector.

India to raise visa issue with UK

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