The UK will not include student visas in its Free Trade Agreement talks with India, focusing only on temporary business mobility visas. During the House of Lords debate, there were calls for expedited negotiations and the appointment of dedicated trade envoys to strengthen ties. The government emphasized the importance of quality over haste in the FTA discussions, which seek to reduce tariffs and enhance the bilateral trading relationship valued at GBP 41 billion.
The UK government clarified that only temporary business mobility visas will be included in the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with India, explicitly excluding student visas. This was communicated during a House of Lords debate where peers sought clarification on the FTA, relaunched during UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ recent visit to New Delhi.
During the debate, Lord Sonny Leong highlighted the significance of business mobility within the negotiations. He noted that these visas are specifically for temporary and limited purposes, beneficial for UK exporters delivering services abroad. Importantly, he stated, “On visas… our negotiations consider only business mobility, so they cover only relevant business visas.”
Peer discussions included calls for expedited negotiations and setting a deadline for the FTA completion. Lord Leong emphasized the government’s commitment to securing the right deal rather than rushing. He identified the current trading relationship with India, valued at GBP 41 billion, as supportive of nearly 600,000 jobs, underscoring the need to reduce tariffs that UK exporters encounter.
Several British Indian peers, such as Lords Bilimoria, Sahota, and Verma, urged the government to act swiftly in sealing the FTA. Lord Sahota articulated the potential economic growth the FTA could bring, stressing that failure to act could result in loss of opportunity for the UK. He stated, “Trade is about growth, jobs and opportunity. If we get this right, we can shape the UK’s economic future for decades to come.”
Lord Bilimoria proposed enhancing Indo-Pacific alliances, suggesting the UK join the Quad alliance to strengthen connections with India, the US, Japan, and Australia. Baroness Verma urged the appointment of dedicated trade envoys to India, criticizing the absence of such representation given India’s importance to UK interests.
The latest round of FTA negotiations concluded last month, with hopes for progress as emphasized by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his recent talks in the UK.
The UK government has confirmed that student visas will not be included in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with India, focusing exclusively on business mobility visas. Peers in the House of Lords expressed the urgency for swift completion of the FTA, citing the significant potential economic benefits. Calls for tighter Indo-Pacific ties and appointment of dedicated trade envoys were made, emphasizing the importance of the UK securing a favorable agreement with India.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
