Braverman, a staunch Brexiteer whose parents are also of Indian descent, appeared to oppose a more liberal visa policy in an interview with Spectator earlier this month.
Rishi Sunak's UK government is in talks with India on whether to increase the number of business visas granted to Indian nationals as part of a potential trade deal, a stance that is likely to create friction in the new prime minister's top team. carries a risk of.
Rishi Sunak's UK government is in talks with India on whether to increase the number of business visas granted to Indian nationals as part of a potential trade deal, a stance that is likely to create friction in the new prime minister's top team. carries a risk of.
Business visas remain an area of "active negotiation" in the discussion, Trade Minister Greg Hands told the House of Commons on Wednesday. He said negotiations on the majority of the deal have been completed.
The government has been trying to highlight the benefits of Brexit by adding new trade deals since leaving the EU, and Hands said a deal with India would give exporters more access to a billion consumers. But easing the visa regime could put Sunak - Britain's first British prime minister of Indian origin - on a collision course with Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who recently expressed concerns about the arrangements.
Braverman, a staunch Brexiteer whose parents are also both of Indian descent, appeared to oppose the more liberal visa policy in an interview with Spectator earlier this month, saying: "I have some reservations. Look at migration in this country - the largest group of people who spend the most time are Indian diaspora."
Sunak is already under pressure to reinstate Braverman to the position he had left just a week earlier due to a security breach, which he himself admitted had violated the minister's rules.
Braverman also told Spectator that he was "concerned about an open border migration policy with India because I don't think people voted for Brexit."
no immigration
At the time, the British press reported that his comments provoked the anger of former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who wanted a more flexible migration policy in his short-term effort to spur growth.
But Hands suggested that increasing the number of temporary business visas for Indians was a separate issue for permanent stay. “In the business sector, what we are talking about is Mode Four Arrangement. These are not immigration systems. These pertain to business visas and not permanent settlements."
So far, 16 chapters have been agreed in 26 policy areas, according to Hands, who said talks would resume "soon".
"We are working towards the best deal for both sides and will not sign an agreement until we have a fair, reciprocal and ultimately in the best interest of the British people and the UK economy," Hands said. "
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