India's concerns, especially on student and professional visas have not been well addressed during British Prime Minister Theresa May's just concluded visit to India, leading NRI entrepreneur G P Hinduja said today.
In a statement, Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group said "It is apparent that the necessary groundwork by the Prime Minister's advisors, in preparing for the visit, was too hurried and the UK did not adequately address India's legitimate concerns over UK visas for both professionals and students coming to study at UK universities.
"Sadly, the strong stance by the UK on visas and immigration risks trade ties at the very timethe UK wants to open trade negotiations with India."
He noted that post-Brexit India is the best choice for Great Britain to enhance relationship and increase trade and investments to balance the set back with EU.
For this it is always good that wherever the countries want to enhance relationship and strengthen relationships one should look at their concerns to see what problems are there and how they could be resolved.
"Unfortunately, the concerns of India, especially on student visa, have not been well addressed which has overshadowed Prime Minister May's visit. But even now one can look into this and see what best can be done."
At the outset, he admitted that May's visit to India, her first overseas visit as Prime Minister, outside Europe was well received by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
May during her visit had said the UK government will consider further improvements to its visa offer to India if speed and volume of returns of Indians "with no right to remain" in UK is stepped up to which the Indian side conveyed that it will follow international practice and a proper verification process.
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