Spokesperson of PM Rishi Sunak: No plans to change immigration policy to assist free trade agreement with India

The United Kingdom (UK) will not change its immigration policy in order to help clinch a free trade agreement with India, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Thursday (September 8).

Read more : G20 Summit 2023: Addressing macroeconomic worries brought on by climate change will be a top priority.

The spokesperson told a press conference that Prime Minister Sunak considered the current levels of immigration were excessive. To be clear, there are no intentions to change our immigration policy to obtain this free trade deal, including student visas, according to the spokeswoman.

According to Reuters, there is rising hope that a free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom will be signed this year, since both nations have agreed on the main features of the agreement.

Sunak, who will attend the G20 conference in New Delhi this weekend, informed his ministers this week that negotiations were developing but that he would only agree on a strategy that worked for the entire country.

Last year, UK Interior Minister Suella Braverman triggered a debate over the potential impact of Indian migrants in trade discussions, citing concerns about both open borders migration policies with India and visa overstayers.

In June of this year, Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch stated that the United Kingdom would discuss temporary business visas as part of trade talks, but not larger immigration obligations or access to the British labour market for Indian employees.

Meanwhile, according to the Financial Times, Sunak is going to encourage Modi to criticise Russia's involvement in Ukraine and use his influence to help end the conflict. According to Reuters, Sunak will also meet with G20 leaders to discuss ways to overcome Russia's Black Sea grain ban.

OTT India updates you with the latest news, The Country’s no.1 digital news platform OTT India, Keeps you updated with national, and international news from all around the world. For more such updates, download the OTT India app on your Android and IOS device.