House panel report slams UK's policy towards India
"Complacency and reliance on historical connections has led Britain to fall behind other countries when it comes to getting a share of India's fast-growing global trade, international students, technology entrepreneurs and defence industry," the report said.
Now, with India about to overtake the UK's economy, Britain should support India's efforts to gain greater status within multilateral bodies, such as a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a greater voice in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and a leadership role in the Commonwealth, it added.
The report slammed the UK foreign and commonwealth office's policies towards India on all fronts, pointing out that New Delhi should be an important strategic partner to the UK in the post-Brexit global order. But instead, it said, UK policies were being driven by net migration targets set by the home office, putting too much focus on its relations with China and Pakistan and not considering what India really wants.
The report "Building bridg es: Reawakening UK-India Ties", based on oral and written submissions from a range of organisations and individuals working within the UK-India corridor, called for the UK to work to Delhi's priorities, including gaining influence on the global stage and raising living standards at home."
The report said there was a perception amongst Indians that Chinese nationals have easier access to the UK and this was, according to Sir James Bevan, former high commissioner to India, because of "the perception that Indian nationals were more likely to overstay". It proposed that the foreign office pushes for visa reforms that include offering Indians a bespoke multiple-entry visa at least as good as the two-year one available to Chinese nationals - currently almost four times cheaper than what Indians are entitled to.
It also suggested facilitating the movement of skilled Indian professionals for short- term projects, adding India to the low-risk category of countries that enjoy relaxed student visa requirements, giving UK varsities a greater role in approving student visas directly, and increasing the post-study visa available to international students to at least two years.
"There is little excuse for failing to issue an apology for atrocities such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre," the report continued. "The lack of clarity around the decision is particularly unhelpful. The government missed an important symbolic opportunity by failing to issue a full apology on the 100th anniversary of the crime and should rectify this without delay."
The report also said despite India being the world's second-biggest importer of major arms, France, Israel, and the US had all seen rises in arms sales to India over the last decade while UK sales have flatlined. "While India wishes for closer security and defence cooperation..., India feels the UK is instead more focused on economic ties."
The report pointed out there had been a shift in the balance of power and the UK needed to "reset the relationship" to avoid a continuation of "expensive missed opportunities". It also warned that the UK's keenness to engage with Chinese projects through the BRI initiative should not be pursued at the expense of its relationship with India.
[1][2]
References
- ^ Commonwealth (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ France (www.happytrips.com)
from India News | Latest News Headlines & Live Updates from India - Times of India http://bit.ly/2X2yDXE
Post a Comment