Profitability and competitiveness of Indian companies that use United Kingdom as their base for operations in Europe will be impacted by the new stringent visa norms being proposed by Britain, said Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, while expressing concern over problems being faced by IT professionals in the UK.
Mr. Sharma had raised the visa norms issue pertaining to visa and post study work visa in UK with the visiting London Mayor, David Wootton during their meeting in the Capital recently. Indian IT personnel often visit Britain on short deputations.
“While we appreciate that UK may have reasons for introducing a cap on non-EU economic immigrants, our concern is to ensure that these measures do not adversely affect the growing trade and economic partnership between our two countries,” said Mr Sharma.
The recent measures over student visas by the British Government, including those on post-study work visas may make it difficult for Indian students to pursue university education in the UK, according to Mr Sharma.
He also conveyed India’s concern regarding the fate of Indian students affected by UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) decision to revoke London Metropolitan University licence to admit non-EU international students.
“The Mayor of London and his officials assured the Commerce Minister of their determination to help Indian students in all possible ways as it also involves the reputation of the UK as reliable education destination. They said they would strive to ensure that all the valid students are suitably accommodated,” said a statement.
On Lord Mayor’s request to open Indian legal and accountancy sectors, Mr. Sharma said that these areas are governed by self-regulatory professional bodies like the Bar Council of India and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. “Consultations with the professional bodies and the stakeholders are under way. Further movement in the matter will be possible as and when consensus emerges among all the stakeholders,” he said.
