India is likely to hold high-level consultation on the fallout of the Brexit referendum on the European Union (EU) during next week’s visit of Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a senior diplomatic source has confirmed to The Hindu .
The scheduled July 4 visit by the Minister is significant in view of the fact that Mr. Szijjártó will be the first foreign minister from EU to visit India after the Brexit referendum which voted to separate the United Kingdom (UK) from EU.
On top of Mr. Szijjártó’s agenda is going to be a possible role that Indian government and corporates can play to help more than two lakh Hungarians employed in various economic sectors of the U.K. and who are facing post-Brexit uncertainty.
“Hungary hopes for understanding from India on issues like migration into Europe and industrial cooperation that are in line with the EU’s plans for greater cooperation with the major emerging powers,” said the official, highlighting that Hungary is willing to be the alternative location to Indian companies that are considering exit from the U.K.
Hungary which hosts a major unit of IT giant Tata Consultancy Services and a few other Indian corporate giants is trying to convert the challenge thrown up by the Brexit crisis to its advantage and invite U.K.-based Indian majors as it may become unviable for Indian corporate houses to cater to the EU market while being based in London as U.K. is unlikely to receive favourable subsidies if it severs ties with the European Union.
Apart from the cushioning of Brexit’s impact on Hungary, the bilateral talks are to include the issue of illegal immigration and flow of refugees as Hungary is one of the gateways through which nearly 1 million migrants, including terror suspects from the conflict zones of West Asia, arrived in Europe over the last one year, said the diplomat.
Hungary has not pointed at any South Asian country for contributing to illegal immigration into Europe but it falls on the “pipeline” and has often been used by illegal immigrants from South Asia in the past.
The issue of illegal immigration and flow of refugees is expected to be more challenging as faced with an unprecedented numbers of migrants, the EU is likely to ask member states to resettle migrants and refugees on their territory.
The visiting Minister is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and several other dignitaries during the trip.
