Britain and India would benefit from skilled migrants, says High Commissioner
Britain and India are on the same page when it comes to tackling illegal migration but both countries would benefit from legal migration of skilled personnel, according to India’s High Commissioner to the UK.
Vikram Doraiswami sees a “beneficial contribution” from skilled migrants moving between India and the UK.
He added: “And it’s two-way. We also want more young Brits to come to India to look at opportunities to work with Indian start ups.”
Mr Doraiswami visited Leeds last month to meet Yorkshire business leaders and encourage stronger trade ties between the region and India at an event organised by NPH Ethnic Minority Business & Policy Forum.
The Government is planning on introducing a new International Student Levy on universities in England.
Universities in the region have been highly critical of the move saying it would harm the economy.
Leeds Central and Headingley and Sheffield Central will be the two worst impacted constituencies with many students from India coming to study in the region.
Mr Doraiswami said it would be an individual decision for Indian students as to whether they still wish to come here and study.
“It’s a cost benefit analysis, if that works then people will pay, if it doesn’t work then they’ll go for whatever else works best,” he told The Yorkshire Post.
India’s High Commissioner believes that Yorkshire can do much more to seek out trade and investment opportunities in the subcontinent. Particular opportunities in technology, manufacturing and sciences.
He said: “From our perspective we would like to see more businesses from Yorkshire coming to India, more trade missions, more focus on areas that are good for connecting with Yorkshire.
“India is a very big, diverse country. You can’t swallow the entire opportunity in one go. Pick a region that might be of particular interest or relevance for Yorkshire.”
Mr Doraiswami added that India would welcome another standalone visit from the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.
“You have a very energetic and dynamic mayor, it’s been some time since she’s been on a standalone visit, we’d love for her to come to India again,” he said.
Last year, Britain and India agreed a free trade deal. This was followed up with a visit to India by a British trade delegation led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“It is a landmark agreement,” says Mr Doraiswami. “It would have a significant beneficial impact on both economies in terms of GDP growth.
"Setting aside the statistics for a moment, statistics are just one thing, the reality is that it will for the first time drive the relationship in a much more forward-looking futuristic way.”
There are further delegations planned to India this year.
Sharon Jandu, managing director of NPH Ethnic Minority Business & Policy Forum, says the organisation is “determined to build on this momentum and ensure Northern businesses, universities, and communities are at the forefront of shaping the future of India–UK relations”.
She added: “The conversations in Leeds underscored the enormous potential of the India - UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to drive inclusive growth and enterprise.”
In a tumultuous world increasingly riven by tariff wars, the High Commissioner says that Britain and India are setting an example for shared values in favour of a more cooperative trading order. Making a success of the FTA is the “best message” both countries can send to the world, he added.