ito
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Free flow of financial capital needs free flow human capital too. India is not asking for immigration. It is asking for more work visas
British PM arrives on 3-day visit to Republic of India
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Free flow of financial capital needs free flow human capital too. India is not asking for immigration. It is asking for more work visas
Hindustani78
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http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/modi-may-talk-trade-3894636/
In a bid to attract business travellers from India and assuage their concerns, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced here Monday that Indian businessmen will have access to UK’s registered traveller scheme. She invited the Indian government to become the first in the world to nominate top business executives for the “Great Club” — a specialised fast-track visa and immigration service launched by her in 2013 when she was Home Secretary.
Kicking off talks on boosting trade ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union, May, making her first bilateral trip outside Europe since Britain voted to quit the bloc, described as “limitless” the potential of the relationship with India.
Besides visa issues, terrorism dominated the bilateral conversation between May and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The British PM strongly condemned the September terrorist attack on the Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri and offered condolences to the victims and their families. And the two leaders called on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attack to justice.
The joint statement said “there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs” — a clear reference to Hizbul militant Burhan Wani who was killed by security forces in Kashmir on July 8 and later hailed as a “martyr” by Pakistan. Last month, BIMSTEC countries had also used the same formulation. Without naming Pakistan, the Indo-UK statement said that the two PMs also called for strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and “falsely extol their virtues”.
On the issue of extradition of fugitive businessmen Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi, the two Prime Ministers affirmed their strong commitment to enhance cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and agreed that fugitives and criminals should not be allowed to escape the law.
Modi asked British companies to look at multiple opportunities in the Indian defence sector. “Looking beyond trade in defence equipment, I invite them to build partnerships with Indian enterprises that focus on manufacturing, technology transfer and co-development,” Modi said.
After a three-hour meeting followed by lunch, May, with Modi by her side, announced the business visa offer. On the issue of students’ mobility, however, there was little visible progress. May, in fact, linked easier visa process to repatriation of illegal Indian immigrants — a formulation made for the first time which has raised eyebrows in Delhi.
“As part of this, the UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if at the same time we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the UK. And the UK will continue to welcome the brightest and best Indian students, with latest figures showing that 9 out of 10 applications are granted.”
According to the joint statement, “India will have one of the best UK visa services of any country in the world, with more application points than anywhere else and the only place where you can get a same day visa.”
The statement also said that the two leaders noted that the UK remained a popular destination for Indian students. May noted that there remained no cap on overall numbers of international students studying at recognised educational institutions in the UK and that the UK Home Secretary had recently announced her intention to consult on changes to the UK student visa regime.
They also announced the launch of a senior UK-India dialogue on Home Affairs issues which will take place bi-annually and be chaired at Permanent Secretary/Secretary level. The Prime Ministers expect this dialogue to make progress on key issues of mutual concern, including opportunities to make the visa system simpler and more efficient, and steps to improve the integrity of border and immigration systems.
On the issue of terrorism, Modi said, “I also discussed with Prime Minister May, ways to purposefully work together to combat the growing forces of radicalization and terrorism. We agreed that it is not a limited security challenge. Its arc of threat spreads across nations and regions…I conveyed our deep concerns to Prime Minister May regarding cross-border terrorism and the need for the international community to take strong action against States that support and sponsor terrorism.”
On her part, May said, “We both face a shared threat of terrorism — as individual countries, as partners, and as global powers whose interests lie in a stable world, founded on the rules-based international system. Today, we have agreed to strengthen our co-operation, in particular by sharing best practice to tackle the use of the internet by violent extremists and to reduce radicalisation and recruitment attempts online.”
The joint statement said that the Prime Ministers tasked the Defence Consultative Group (DCG) on November 15-16 to advance the bilateral defence cooperation agenda, including the UK’s proposals for capability partnerships, through a range of activities including military to military cooperation, training, exchange of subject matter experts, research and technology linkages as well as defence manufacturing. The two sides signed two documents pertaining to ease of doing business and intellectual property rights. May said that more than 1 billion pounds ($1.24 billion) in deals would be signed during her trip, and by partnering with Modi’s initiative to build 100 “smart” cities, British business could unlock a further 2 billion pounds over five years.
In a bid to attract business travellers from India and assuage their concerns, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced here Monday that Indian businessmen will have access to UK’s registered traveller scheme. She invited the Indian government to become the first in the world to nominate top business executives for the “Great Club” — a specialised fast-track visa and immigration service launched by her in 2013 when she was Home Secretary.
Kicking off talks on boosting trade ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union, May, making her first bilateral trip outside Europe since Britain voted to quit the bloc, described as “limitless” the potential of the relationship with India.
Besides visa issues, terrorism dominated the bilateral conversation between May and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The British PM strongly condemned the September terrorist attack on the Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri and offered condolences to the victims and their families. And the two leaders called on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attack to justice.
The joint statement said “there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs” — a clear reference to Hizbul militant Burhan Wani who was killed by security forces in Kashmir on July 8 and later hailed as a “martyr” by Pakistan. Last month, BIMSTEC countries had also used the same formulation. Without naming Pakistan, the Indo-UK statement said that the two PMs also called for strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and “falsely extol their virtues”.
On the issue of extradition of fugitive businessmen Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi, the two Prime Ministers affirmed their strong commitment to enhance cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and agreed that fugitives and criminals should not be allowed to escape the law.
Modi asked British companies to look at multiple opportunities in the Indian defence sector. “Looking beyond trade in defence equipment, I invite them to build partnerships with Indian enterprises that focus on manufacturing, technology transfer and co-development,” Modi said.
After a three-hour meeting followed by lunch, May, with Modi by her side, announced the business visa offer. On the issue of students’ mobility, however, there was little visible progress. May, in fact, linked easier visa process to repatriation of illegal Indian immigrants — a formulation made for the first time which has raised eyebrows in Delhi.
“As part of this, the UK will consider further improvements to our visa offer if at the same time we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the UK. And the UK will continue to welcome the brightest and best Indian students, with latest figures showing that 9 out of 10 applications are granted.”
According to the joint statement, “India will have one of the best UK visa services of any country in the world, with more application points than anywhere else and the only place where you can get a same day visa.”
The statement also said that the two leaders noted that the UK remained a popular destination for Indian students. May noted that there remained no cap on overall numbers of international students studying at recognised educational institutions in the UK and that the UK Home Secretary had recently announced her intention to consult on changes to the UK student visa regime.
They also announced the launch of a senior UK-India dialogue on Home Affairs issues which will take place bi-annually and be chaired at Permanent Secretary/Secretary level. The Prime Ministers expect this dialogue to make progress on key issues of mutual concern, including opportunities to make the visa system simpler and more efficient, and steps to improve the integrity of border and immigration systems.
On the issue of terrorism, Modi said, “I also discussed with Prime Minister May, ways to purposefully work together to combat the growing forces of radicalization and terrorism. We agreed that it is not a limited security challenge. Its arc of threat spreads across nations and regions…I conveyed our deep concerns to Prime Minister May regarding cross-border terrorism and the need for the international community to take strong action against States that support and sponsor terrorism.”
On her part, May said, “We both face a shared threat of terrorism — as individual countries, as partners, and as global powers whose interests lie in a stable world, founded on the rules-based international system. Today, we have agreed to strengthen our co-operation, in particular by sharing best practice to tackle the use of the internet by violent extremists and to reduce radicalisation and recruitment attempts online.”
The joint statement said that the Prime Ministers tasked the Defence Consultative Group (DCG) on November 15-16 to advance the bilateral defence cooperation agenda, including the UK’s proposals for capability partnerships, through a range of activities including military to military cooperation, training, exchange of subject matter experts, research and technology linkages as well as defence manufacturing. The two sides signed two documents pertaining to ease of doing business and intellectual property rights. May said that more than 1 billion pounds ($1.24 billion) in deals would be signed during her trip, and by partnering with Modi’s initiative to build 100 “smart” cities, British business could unlock a further 2 billion pounds over five years.
Old boyyyyyy, this guy is even more delusional than I thought. Seems his hatred of Britain runs even deeper than I imagined(probably a colonial hagover. lol) . Seriously you are embarrassing more sane and sensible Indian members on here.
So according to you we invaded India , and many other developing countries in Africa, Asia etc simply because we had nothing of value to offer? Lmao.
Old boy, you are funny. For your infos, every major power with the military capability throughout history has always expanded its influence and even territory as far as they have the capability/potential to do so . Roman Empire, Mongol empire, Soviet UNION, BRITISH EMPIRE, U.S empire today(as some may call it.lol) and even the Muslim mughals who also invaded and subjugated you people for a century etc etc.
So I don't understand what you are talking about. If anything we helped liberate you people from Muslim mughals empire stranglehold and oppression. , and helped unite your country and made it big by attaching South Tibet , part of Burma, and many other regions to our Indian Empire, offered you our global language, political governing parliamentary institution/system, democracy, All of which you still preserve to this day. So you should be grateful at least for this. Of course I'm not saying we were perfect and also did some bad things, that doesn't means you should only look at the bad aspect of what we did while ignoring all the god things we did as well.
Every empire did some bad deeds at one point, so I dont see your point of being so butthurt only about Great Britain.
Moreover you say we are begging India? SERIOUSLY?. MAte, you are still a developing country(one of the poorest on earth) , why will we beg a poor developing country who has almost 1/4th of the world's poor?
Calm down, it's all about business, there are no favours in business. Only opportunities investment and trade, period. we are the Largest Industrialised western country investor in India as well. Same as we are the largest foreign direct investor in the U.S by a wide margin. Using your logic, the U S is a beggar towards Britain.. Your logic is funny. We live in a globalised world, so Calm down.
YOUR PM came running to India, while OUR PM chose to ignore you for the longest time. What does that tell you ? Get over your butthurt.
To hate you would be to give you importance you don't deserve. As I said, I prefer to ignore you. Now take a clue.
You are free to live in your historical fantasy. Its the surest sign of your dismal future. I see no need to educate you. Let those Indians who you claim are "embarrassed' take that effort. Find them if you can.
If we want to tell you something, we will probably tell your US masters first and they will pass on that message. I suggest you wait on them to hear from us.
We are DEMANDING free flow of Monetary capital AND Human capital. A truly free trade. This will of course make these clowns unemployed
Last edited:
mike2000 is back
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OK genius. If it makes you feel better then so be it.YOUR PM came running to India, while OUR PM chose to ignore you for the longest time. What does that tell you ? Get over your butthurt.
To hate you would be to give you importance you don't deserve. As I said, I prefer to ignore you. Now take a clue.
You are free to live in your historical fantasy. Its the surest sign of your dismal future. I see no need to educate you. Let those Indians who you claim are "embarrassed' take that effort. Find them if you can.
If we want to tell you something, we will probably tell your US masters first and they will pass on that message. I suggest you wait on them to hear from us.
We are DEMANDING free flow of Monetary capital AND Human capital. A truly free trad. This will of course make these clowns unemployed
Hopefully, superpower India will have mercy on us. We are always very diplomatic, we can negotiate.
OK genius. If it makes you feel better then so be it.
Hopefully, superpower India will have mercy on us. We are always very diplomatic, we can negotiate.
Not mercy, but payback. Negotiate all you want.
Hindustani78
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OK genius. If it makes you feel better then so be it.
Hopefully, superpower India will have mercy on us. We are always very diplomatic, we can negotiate.
Tata Steel put its British steel operations on sale following heavy losses linked to a flood of cheap Chinese imports and low demand in the region.
This way of diplomacy is the real reason for the economic crisis and in controlling the power at UNSC , i think UK have hurted many nations .
Trade and relations goes together , be it investment or hiring of high skilled Indian, Arab and African immigrants.
Hindustani78
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Cabinet
07-December, 2016 19:57 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property (IP). The MoU was signed on 7.11.2016.
The MoU seeks to establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation in the development of automation, new documentation and information systems in IP. It provides an opportunity for collaboration in training programmes, exchange of experts and technical exchanges and outreach activities.
Implementation of the MoU will result in enhancement of the capacity of the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks to examine patent applications, which in turn will impact innovation positively.
*****
Cabinet
07-December, 2016 19:56 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) to support Ease of Doing Business in India
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) to support Ease of Doing Business in India. The MoU was signed earlier this month.
The MoU shall enable exchange of officials from both the Governments to facilitate sharing of best practises, offering technical assistance and enhanced implementation of reforms. The collaboration shall also cover State Governments in its ambit. The UK government has shown interest to offer expertise in the following areas:
a) Support to small businesses and start ups
b) Starting business and registration
c) Paying taxes and tax administration
d) Insolvency
e) Construction permits
f) Getting electricity
g) Risk based framework for inspection and regulatory regimes
h) Trading across the borders
i) Competition economics
j] Getting credit
k) Drafting of laws and regulations
I) Reducing stock and flow of regulation
m) Impact assessment of regulations
Currently, India is ranked 130th out of 190 economies (as per Doing Business Report, 2017). The UK Government has achieved phenomenal improvement in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings in recent years. The beneficiaries include the officials from Central Government Ministries / Departments and State Governments through sharing of best practises, capacity building etc. Each side shall bear the cost of travel and logistics for its officials as well as for co-hosting trainings/ seminar/conferences.
The MoU shall facilitate various agencies of the UK government to offer professional courses on better regulation drafting for officials, capacity-building of frontline inspectors, sharing of best practises, etc. The collaboration is expected to expedite adoption of innovative practises by the Government of India, State Governments and their agencies leading to easing of regulatory environment in the country and fostering of conducive business climate in India.
*****
07-December, 2016 19:57 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) for Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property (IP). The MoU was signed on 7.11.2016.
The MoU seeks to establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation in the development of automation, new documentation and information systems in IP. It provides an opportunity for collaboration in training programmes, exchange of experts and technical exchanges and outreach activities.
Implementation of the MoU will result in enhancement of the capacity of the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks to examine patent applications, which in turn will impact innovation positively.
*****
Cabinet
07-December, 2016 19:56 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) to support Ease of Doing Business in India
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and United Kingdom (UK) to support Ease of Doing Business in India. The MoU was signed earlier this month.
The MoU shall enable exchange of officials from both the Governments to facilitate sharing of best practises, offering technical assistance and enhanced implementation of reforms. The collaboration shall also cover State Governments in its ambit. The UK government has shown interest to offer expertise in the following areas:
a) Support to small businesses and start ups
b) Starting business and registration
c) Paying taxes and tax administration
d) Insolvency
e) Construction permits
f) Getting electricity
g) Risk based framework for inspection and regulatory regimes
h) Trading across the borders
i) Competition economics
j] Getting credit
k) Drafting of laws and regulations
I) Reducing stock and flow of regulation
m) Impact assessment of regulations
Currently, India is ranked 130th out of 190 economies (as per Doing Business Report, 2017). The UK Government has achieved phenomenal improvement in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings in recent years. The beneficiaries include the officials from Central Government Ministries / Departments and State Governments through sharing of best practises, capacity building etc. Each side shall bear the cost of travel and logistics for its officials as well as for co-hosting trainings/ seminar/conferences.
The MoU shall facilitate various agencies of the UK government to offer professional courses on better regulation drafting for officials, capacity-building of frontline inspectors, sharing of best practises, etc. The collaboration is expected to expedite adoption of innovative practises by the Government of India, State Governments and their agencies leading to easing of regulatory environment in the country and fostering of conducive business climate in India.
*****
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
08-December, 2016 12:34 IST
India-UK ease of doing Business Conference
The India-UK Conference on Ease of Doing Business has been jointly inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India, Shri Ramesh Abhishek and British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith, on 8th December, 2016 in New Delhi. It will act as a springboard to propel the strategic bilateral partnership between the two countries to the next level.
The India and UK partnership on Ease of Doing Business is important because of the role that the business environment plays in encouraging trade, investment, innovation and economic growth. This conference, following the commitments made by UK Prime Minister Ms. Theresa May and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi last month, will provide a forum for experts from both countries to share best practice – and to make the connections that will lead to further collaboration in the future.
During the UK Prime Minister’s visit to India last month, both Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ms. Theresa May witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Ease of Doing Business, which set out how the UK and India would work together to share expertise and best practice.
This conference is the next step in this process, bringing together officials from state and central Government in India with UK experts. The discussion will cover areas including regulatory reform, inspection reform, tax administration, trade facilitation, electricity provision, insolvency, land registry and standards.
The conference will be the most ambitious outreach yet undertaken on the Ease of Doing Business. It will showcase India’s focus on simplifying its business ecosystem and making it a preferred business destination, as well as the work that the UK government is doing to share the key features of its globally renowned business ecosystem and practices. Representatives from various Indian State Governments will also highlight their business reform action plan, implementation strategy, and lessons & leanings.
***
08-December, 2016 12:34 IST
India-UK ease of doing Business Conference
The India-UK Conference on Ease of Doing Business has been jointly inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India, Shri Ramesh Abhishek and British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith, on 8th December, 2016 in New Delhi. It will act as a springboard to propel the strategic bilateral partnership between the two countries to the next level.
The India and UK partnership on Ease of Doing Business is important because of the role that the business environment plays in encouraging trade, investment, innovation and economic growth. This conference, following the commitments made by UK Prime Minister Ms. Theresa May and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi last month, will provide a forum for experts from both countries to share best practice – and to make the connections that will lead to further collaboration in the future.
During the UK Prime Minister’s visit to India last month, both Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ms. Theresa May witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Ease of Doing Business, which set out how the UK and India would work together to share expertise and best practice.
This conference is the next step in this process, bringing together officials from state and central Government in India with UK experts. The discussion will cover areas including regulatory reform, inspection reform, tax administration, trade facilitation, electricity provision, insolvency, land registry and standards.
The conference will be the most ambitious outreach yet undertaken on the Ease of Doing Business. It will showcase India’s focus on simplifying its business ecosystem and making it a preferred business destination, as well as the work that the UK government is doing to share the key features of its globally renowned business ecosystem and practices. Representatives from various Indian State Governments will also highlight their business reform action plan, implementation strategy, and lessons & leanings.
***
Hindustani78
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LONDON: December 17, 2016 00:58 IST
Updated: December 17, 2016 00:58 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/‘U.K.-missed-golden-chance-to-further-relations-with-India’/article16871320.ece
Tim Hewish, who authored report advocating changes to the visa system, says government should have created a scheme like it did for the Chinese
Britain missed a golden opportunity to introduce a more favourable visitors visa for Indian nationals during Prime Minister Theresa May’s trip to India, according to the author of a recent report who advocated changes to the system.
Tim Hewish, Director of Policy and Research at the London-based Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), who authored the report, said there was much disappointment following the government’s failure to offer a more attractive visitor visa to Indians on the lines of what has been created for Chinese citizens.
In January, the government launched a pilot that enables Chinese citizens — tourists, business people and those visiting family — to obtain a two-year visitor visa for just £85. Indian citizens currently pay £87 pounds for a six-month visa and £330 for a two-year visa. Many believed that with the U.K.-India Year of Culture set to take place in 2017, the scheme would be brought in.
“My expectations were quite high — it’s an easy proposal — creating something that already exists for China and doesn’t impact migration policy. It baffles me that an artist who came for an event in February and again six months later would have to pay for two visas or for the much more expensive two-year visa. It makes a mockery of the year of culture,” Mr. Hewish said in an interview here this week.
According to Crossbench Member of the House of Lords, Karan Bilimoria, there were hopes of such a deal even following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the U.K. in 2015. Mr. Bilimoria had repeatedly advised the government of the need to bring in the visa, which would have put India on an equal footing with China. The lack of action fed into increasingly negative perceptions of the U.K.’s openness to visitors, he said.
“Our Home Office is the biggest obstacle for Britain’s soft power — they are continually tarnishing our reputation internationally,” he said on Friday, pointing to the numerous instances he’d come across of people struggling to obtain visas, including one for a “senior Indian official.”
Mr. Hewish’s report released in July received much support from industry, including the CII and several international airlines, and politicians. In September, 56 business leaders, including senior executives of Virgin Atlantic, Heathrow, the Tata Group, and the Institute of Directors, and a number of politicians signed a letter to The Daily Telegraph, urging the adoption of the RCS’s recommendation on visitor visas.
Crucial boost
The RCS report argued that changing the visitor visa regime for Indians would give a crucial boost to numbers at a time that Britain was losing its share of India’s outbound tourist numbers, which was on the rise. France had overtaken Britain in terms of numbers of Indian tourists in 2015. “The trends show that while more and more Indians travel abroad, these travellers are choosing other destinations,” it said, adding that the move would enhance political, cultural and economic bonds between the two countries.
Mr. Bilimoria said that British government’s concerns about a widespread problem of people overstaying their visas were misplaced as the system they used to gauge this was by and large inaccurate. Only exit checks at the border would give a more accurate idea of numbers, and were likely to show the problem was much less severe than the government had been publicly estimating.
“There may be issues around people who overstay and how they are returned. But the idea that you can tarnish the whole of the population wanting to come to the U.K. as people who want to overstay creates the wrong environment for wanting to create a trade deal,” Mr. Hewish said.
Updated: December 17, 2016 00:58 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/‘U.K.-missed-golden-chance-to-further-relations-with-India’/article16871320.ece
Tim Hewish, who authored report advocating changes to the visa system, says government should have created a scheme like it did for the Chinese
Britain missed a golden opportunity to introduce a more favourable visitors visa for Indian nationals during Prime Minister Theresa May’s trip to India, according to the author of a recent report who advocated changes to the system.
Tim Hewish, Director of Policy and Research at the London-based Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), who authored the report, said there was much disappointment following the government’s failure to offer a more attractive visitor visa to Indians on the lines of what has been created for Chinese citizens.
In January, the government launched a pilot that enables Chinese citizens — tourists, business people and those visiting family — to obtain a two-year visitor visa for just £85. Indian citizens currently pay £87 pounds for a six-month visa and £330 for a two-year visa. Many believed that with the U.K.-India Year of Culture set to take place in 2017, the scheme would be brought in.
“My expectations were quite high — it’s an easy proposal — creating something that already exists for China and doesn’t impact migration policy. It baffles me that an artist who came for an event in February and again six months later would have to pay for two visas or for the much more expensive two-year visa. It makes a mockery of the year of culture,” Mr. Hewish said in an interview here this week.
According to Crossbench Member of the House of Lords, Karan Bilimoria, there were hopes of such a deal even following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the U.K. in 2015. Mr. Bilimoria had repeatedly advised the government of the need to bring in the visa, which would have put India on an equal footing with China. The lack of action fed into increasingly negative perceptions of the U.K.’s openness to visitors, he said.
“Our Home Office is the biggest obstacle for Britain’s soft power — they are continually tarnishing our reputation internationally,” he said on Friday, pointing to the numerous instances he’d come across of people struggling to obtain visas, including one for a “senior Indian official.”
Mr. Hewish’s report released in July received much support from industry, including the CII and several international airlines, and politicians. In September, 56 business leaders, including senior executives of Virgin Atlantic, Heathrow, the Tata Group, and the Institute of Directors, and a number of politicians signed a letter to The Daily Telegraph, urging the adoption of the RCS’s recommendation on visitor visas.
Crucial boost
The RCS report argued that changing the visitor visa regime for Indians would give a crucial boost to numbers at a time that Britain was losing its share of India’s outbound tourist numbers, which was on the rise. France had overtaken Britain in terms of numbers of Indian tourists in 2015. “The trends show that while more and more Indians travel abroad, these travellers are choosing other destinations,” it said, adding that the move would enhance political, cultural and economic bonds between the two countries.
Mr. Bilimoria said that British government’s concerns about a widespread problem of people overstaying their visas were misplaced as the system they used to gauge this was by and large inaccurate. Only exit checks at the border would give a more accurate idea of numbers, and were likely to show the problem was much less severe than the government had been publicly estimating.
“There may be issues around people who overstay and how they are returned. But the idea that you can tarnish the whole of the population wanting to come to the U.K. as people who want to overstay creates the wrong environment for wanting to create a trade deal,” Mr. Hewish said.
Hindustani78
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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/worl...oon-to-rescue-uks-last-aluminium-smelter.html
Published Dec 19, 2016, 7:31 pm IST
The group has committed to invest a further 120 million pounds, creating up to 600 jobs in coming years.
London: Indian-origin metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta on Monday said he will invest a whopping 120 million pounds in Britain's last aluminium smelter as part of a deal to rescue the site and safeguard hundreds of jobs.
Gupta's Liberty House and his father's related business, Simec, will pay around 330 million pounds to acquire the plant at Lochaber, in the western Scottish Highlands, and two hydro-electric plants that power it.
The group has committed to invest a further 120 million pounds, creating up to 600 jobs in coming years, Gupta said.
"Today is the start of an exciting new chapter in Scotland's manufacturing story and the Scottish government and its agencies will keep working with Sanjeev Gupta and the GFG Alliance to help them realise their enterprising vision for Lochaber," said Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Strugeon, during a site visit.
Gupta, in his 40s, is Executive Chairman of Liberty House Group and of the wider family concern GFG Alliance strategic board.
He said: "We hope this day will come to be recognised as the start of a bright new future for Highland industry. It puts Lochaber right at the heart of our vision for sustainable and integrated local production that can revitalise British manufacturing."
Monday's announcement follows a deal unveiled in November involving Liberty House and Simec to take over the site formerly owned by Rio Tinto in Scotland.
Gupta's plans include creating an aluminium wheel manufacturing facility with 300 jobs directly and another 300 in the supply chain.
Liberty has also said that it aims to protect the existing 170 jobs at Lochaber and expand metal manufacturing and downstream engineering in the region.
Published Dec 19, 2016, 7:31 pm IST
The group has committed to invest a further 120 million pounds, creating up to 600 jobs in coming years.
London: Indian-origin metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta on Monday said he will invest a whopping 120 million pounds in Britain's last aluminium smelter as part of a deal to rescue the site and safeguard hundreds of jobs.
Gupta's Liberty House and his father's related business, Simec, will pay around 330 million pounds to acquire the plant at Lochaber, in the western Scottish Highlands, and two hydro-electric plants that power it.
The group has committed to invest a further 120 million pounds, creating up to 600 jobs in coming years, Gupta said.
"Today is the start of an exciting new chapter in Scotland's manufacturing story and the Scottish government and its agencies will keep working with Sanjeev Gupta and the GFG Alliance to help them realise their enterprising vision for Lochaber," said Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Strugeon, during a site visit.
Gupta, in his 40s, is Executive Chairman of Liberty House Group and of the wider family concern GFG Alliance strategic board.
He said: "We hope this day will come to be recognised as the start of a bright new future for Highland industry. It puts Lochaber right at the heart of our vision for sustainable and integrated local production that can revitalise British manufacturing."
Monday's announcement follows a deal unveiled in November involving Liberty House and Simec to take over the site formerly owned by Rio Tinto in Scotland.
Gupta's plans include creating an aluminium wheel manufacturing facility with 300 jobs directly and another 300 in the supply chain.
Liberty has also said that it aims to protect the existing 170 jobs at Lochaber and expand metal manufacturing and downstream engineering in the region.
Hindustani78
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/world...rom-britain/story-9wQN1CinOu8rZviqgR4IRL.html
The decline in the number of Indian students coming to Britain continued after new figures released on Thursday showed a 9% decrease in 2015-16 compared to the previous year, dismaying higher education stake-holders and others.
Figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that 16,745 Indian students registered at higher education institutions during the year, marking a new low since the decline began in 2010. China with 91,215 students topped among non-EU countries.
The latest figures amount to a drop of more than 50% in Indian students coming to Britain since 2010, attributed to student visa restrictions that include closure of the post-study work visa. The closure of nearly 800 bogus colleges is also mentioned as a reason for the drop from India.
HESA said: “India saw the largest percentage decrease, at 44% between 2011/12 and 2015/16. In numbers, this meant that in 2015/16, the number of student enrolments domiciled from India was 13,150 less than in 2011/12.”
“It is worth noting however, that the decline in student enrolments domiciled from India began a year earlier, in 2010/11.”
Karan Bilimoria, member of the House of Lords, told HT: “This new drop of Indian student numbers is so, so sad. The policies are not only damaging Britain’s soft power but will also damage its ability to forge free trade agreements in the post-Brexit scenario.”
“It is shooting ourselves in the foot. This is economic illiteracy, when international students bring billions of pounds to the British economy and enrich our campuses. We should be more welcoming to international students.”
As Indian student numbers in Britain decline, reports suggest that their number is increasing in countries such as Australia, Canada, United States and Germany.
Responding to the new figures, Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents all UK universities, said:
“While demand from Chinese students remains exceptionally strong, we have seen a further and worrying decline in student numbers from countries such as India [-9%] and Nigeria [-10%]. Numbers from India have almost halved since 2011. Malaysia and the United States have now overtaken India in the table of countries providing students to the UK. In comparison, the number of Indian students enrolling in the USA during the same period increased by 25%.
“The UK could be doing much better than this. The UK has the potential to be one of the world’s fastest growing destinations for international students, building on its current status as the second most popular destination for international students [after the US]. The UK benefits enormously, economically and academically, from international students.
“If the UK wants to remain a top destination for international students and academics, it needs a new approach to immigration that is proportionate and welcoming for talented people from across the world. This will be even more important as the UK looks to enhance its place in the world post-Brexit.”
Home secretary Amber Rudd announced at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham in October new plans to curb non-EU professionals and students in a post-Brexit Britain.
The decline in the number of Indian students coming to Britain continued after new figures released on Thursday showed a 9% decrease in 2015-16 compared to the previous year, dismaying higher education stake-holders and others.
Figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that 16,745 Indian students registered at higher education institutions during the year, marking a new low since the decline began in 2010. China with 91,215 students topped among non-EU countries.
The latest figures amount to a drop of more than 50% in Indian students coming to Britain since 2010, attributed to student visa restrictions that include closure of the post-study work visa. The closure of nearly 800 bogus colleges is also mentioned as a reason for the drop from India.
HESA said: “India saw the largest percentage decrease, at 44% between 2011/12 and 2015/16. In numbers, this meant that in 2015/16, the number of student enrolments domiciled from India was 13,150 less than in 2011/12.”
“It is worth noting however, that the decline in student enrolments domiciled from India began a year earlier, in 2010/11.”
Karan Bilimoria, member of the House of Lords, told HT: “This new drop of Indian student numbers is so, so sad. The policies are not only damaging Britain’s soft power but will also damage its ability to forge free trade agreements in the post-Brexit scenario.”
“It is shooting ourselves in the foot. This is economic illiteracy, when international students bring billions of pounds to the British economy and enrich our campuses. We should be more welcoming to international students.”
As Indian student numbers in Britain decline, reports suggest that their number is increasing in countries such as Australia, Canada, United States and Germany.
Responding to the new figures, Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents all UK universities, said:
“While demand from Chinese students remains exceptionally strong, we have seen a further and worrying decline in student numbers from countries such as India [-9%] and Nigeria [-10%]. Numbers from India have almost halved since 2011. Malaysia and the United States have now overtaken India in the table of countries providing students to the UK. In comparison, the number of Indian students enrolling in the USA during the same period increased by 25%.
“The UK could be doing much better than this. The UK has the potential to be one of the world’s fastest growing destinations for international students, building on its current status as the second most popular destination for international students [after the US]. The UK benefits enormously, economically and academically, from international students.
“If the UK wants to remain a top destination for international students and academics, it needs a new approach to immigration that is proportionate and welcoming for talented people from across the world. This will be even more important as the UK looks to enhance its place in the world post-Brexit.”
Home secretary Amber Rudd announced at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham in October new plans to curb non-EU professionals and students in a post-Brexit Britain.
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Civil Aviation
09-February, 2017 18:43 IST
India-UK Deal to Allow More Flights to Boost Tourism and Trade for Global India & Britain
India and the UK signed a MoU to ease restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between the two countries, following successful talks in India this week. Limits on flights from key Indian cities including Chennai and Kolkata have been scrapped, allowing for a greater range of flights for passengers while providing a boost to trade and tourism for the UK and India. Building new links with important trading partners is a key part of the government’s plans for a Global Britain, opening up new export markets and creating jobs and economic growth. The agreement also opened all destinations in the UK for Indian carriers for code share flights, and reciprocally the UK carriers can also operate code share flights to any International Airport in India, through domestic code share arrangements.
The agreement was formally signed by Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, on behalf of India and Lord Ahmad of U.K. during a visit to India where he led a delegation of British companies for the 2017 CAPA India Aviation Summit.
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, said “The increase in number of flights between the UK and India is encouraging news for our businesses and tourists. We already enjoy strong ties with the UK and we welcome such continued association which in the long run will not only encourage business activity, but also people-to-people contact. I am sure that this agreement will bring direct and indirect benefits to many sectors of the economies of our two countries”.
Tourism from India makes an important contribution to the UK economy. In 2015, there were 422,000 visits from India to the UK, bringing more than £433 million to the economy.
Aviation Minister of U.K., Lord Ahmad said: “India is one of our closest allies and key trading partners and this new agreement will only serve to strengthen this crucial relationship. We are unlocking new trade and tourism opportunities which will boost our economies, create new jobs and open up new business links. This is great news for both the UK and India and is yet another sign that we are open for business and ready to build and strengthen our trade links.”
India is a rapidly expanding and important market for aviation and the agreement signed today will allow airlines to develop new services and air routes. The final decision on additional flights between the UK and India is a commercial one for airlines.
...
09-February, 2017 18:43 IST
India-UK Deal to Allow More Flights to Boost Tourism and Trade for Global India & Britain
India and the UK signed a MoU to ease restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between the two countries, following successful talks in India this week. Limits on flights from key Indian cities including Chennai and Kolkata have been scrapped, allowing for a greater range of flights for passengers while providing a boost to trade and tourism for the UK and India. Building new links with important trading partners is a key part of the government’s plans for a Global Britain, opening up new export markets and creating jobs and economic growth. The agreement also opened all destinations in the UK for Indian carriers for code share flights, and reciprocally the UK carriers can also operate code share flights to any International Airport in India, through domestic code share arrangements.
The agreement was formally signed by Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, on behalf of India and Lord Ahmad of U.K. during a visit to India where he led a delegation of British companies for the 2017 CAPA India Aviation Summit.
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, said “The increase in number of flights between the UK and India is encouraging news for our businesses and tourists. We already enjoy strong ties with the UK and we welcome such continued association which in the long run will not only encourage business activity, but also people-to-people contact. I am sure that this agreement will bring direct and indirect benefits to many sectors of the economies of our two countries”.
Tourism from India makes an important contribution to the UK economy. In 2015, there were 422,000 visits from India to the UK, bringing more than £433 million to the economy.
Aviation Minister of U.K., Lord Ahmad said: “India is one of our closest allies and key trading partners and this new agreement will only serve to strengthen this crucial relationship. We are unlocking new trade and tourism opportunities which will boost our economies, create new jobs and open up new business links. This is great news for both the UK and India and is yet another sign that we are open for business and ready to build and strengthen our trade links.”
India is a rapidly expanding and important market for aviation and the agreement signed today will allow airlines to develop new services and air routes. The final decision on additional flights between the UK and India is a commercial one for airlines.
...
Hindustani78
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14-February, 2017 15:36 IST
Delegation of British MPs calls on Prime Minister
An eight-member delegation of British Parliamentarians called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
The Prime Minister said that the relations between India and UK have strong bipartisan support in both countries, and called for enhanced interactions between the Parliamentarians of both countries.
The Prime Minister fondly recalled his own visit to UK in November 2015, and the visit of Prime Minister Theresa May to India in November 2016. The Prime Minister welcomed the celebration of 2017 as the India-UK Year of Culture.
The Prime Minister also said that India and UK are natural partners in the global fight against terrorism, and urged the Parliamentarians to continue to raise their collective voice against terrorism, extremism and radicalization.
***An eight-member delegation of British Parliamentarians calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on February 14, 2017.
14-February, 2017 15:36 IST
Delegation of British MPs calls on Prime Minister
An eight-member delegation of British Parliamentarians called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
The Prime Minister said that the relations between India and UK have strong bipartisan support in both countries, and called for enhanced interactions between the Parliamentarians of both countries.
The Prime Minister fondly recalled his own visit to UK in November 2015, and the visit of Prime Minister Theresa May to India in November 2016. The Prime Minister welcomed the celebration of 2017 as the India-UK Year of Culture.
The Prime Minister also said that India and UK are natural partners in the global fight against terrorism, and urged the Parliamentarians to continue to raise their collective voice against terrorism, extremism and radicalization.
***An eight-member delegation of British Parliamentarians calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on February 14, 2017.
Hindustani78
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/world...-on-pension/story-uEwRgBG9DFtcqIJuLQa9zM.html
Thousands of workers at Tata Steel’s sites in Wales, Scotland, south Yorkshire and Teeside on Wednesday overwhelmingly accepted its offer to move from a final salary pension to a less generous scheme, potentially saving their jobs and assuring the future of its plants.
Tata had offered a package in December to retain its steel business in Britain instead of selling it, and the generous financial commitment in the pension scheme was seen as a major hurdle.
Three unions – Unite, Community and GMB – balloted their members on the package offered, and result was 72% in favour.
Responding to the results, Roy Rickhuss of Community, said: “This result provides a mandate from our members to move forward in our discussions with Tata and find a sustainable solution for the British Steel Pension Scheme”.
“We now expect Tata to make good on their promises and deliver the investment plan for the whole of their steel business. The UK government still has an important role to play and we fully expect them to deliver tangible support for steelmaking in the UK.”
Tata’s December offer included a guaranteed, minimum five-year commitment to keeping two blast furnaces at the Port Talbot plant in Wales; a 10-year £1 billion investment plan to support steel making at the site; a commitment to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies for five years; and a consultation on replacing the current pension with a "defined contribution scheme" involving maximum contributions of 10% from the company and 6% from employees.
Tony Brady of Unite said: “Steelworkers have made great sacrifices to ensure the UK’s world class steel industry has a future. Those sacrifices must be repaid by Tata Steel honouring its commitments on investment and job security. Nothing less would be a betrayal and add to the deep mistrust that steelworkers now have for the company.”
Dave Hulse of GMB said: “Now that steelworkers have done their bit, it is time for the government to step up and do theirs. Thousands of skilled jobs rely on steelmaking and the industry supports the whole UK manufacturing sector”.
“Instead of insulting steelworkers by classing their industry as a ‘low priority’, the government set out as strategy for steel that recognises it as a high priority for investment and innovation.”
Hindustani78
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http://zeenews.india.com/india/sanj...to-foil-escape-bids-by-criminals_1979350.html
PTI | Last Updated: Monday, February 20, 2017 - 18:39
New Delhi: India may seek Nepal's help to foil escape bids of its wanted criminals through that country's soil after an accused arms dealer is suspected to have travelled to the UK via Kathmandu.
The government is exploring the option of approaching Nepal seeking help to have more stringent checks on people against whom India has issued look-out notices, a Home Ministry official said.
It is still in consultation stage and no decision has been taken on it yet, the official said.
The consideration comes after controversial arms dealer was Sanjay Bhandari suspected to have fled to the UK from Kathmandu.
India and Nepal have an open border which allows free movement of each other's citizens.
In 2004, Rabinder Singh, a joint secretary in India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), was believed to have fled to the US through Nepal, weeks after he was found photocopying documents not related to his work.
Bhandari left the country late last year after Delhi Police booked him for alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
The CBI also forwarded to the Interpol Delhi Police's request for the issuance of Red Corner Notice against Bhandari.
The ED had, last year, issued summons to Bhandari and his aides to submit documents related to the transactions of their firms as part of its probe into the case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The ED's Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent of a police FIR, has taken note of the preliminary investigations done by the Ministry of Defence and the Income Tax Department against Bhandari.
ECIR has also recorded the charges made against him under the Official Secrets Act and those for alleged tax evasion by the Income Tax Department.
The case first came to light after the I-T Department conducted searches against Bhandari last April and recovered certain "sensitive" official defence documents from his premises.
First Published: Monday, February 20, 2017 - 18:37
PTI | Last Updated: Monday, February 20, 2017 - 18:39
New Delhi: India may seek Nepal's help to foil escape bids of its wanted criminals through that country's soil after an accused arms dealer is suspected to have travelled to the UK via Kathmandu.
The government is exploring the option of approaching Nepal seeking help to have more stringent checks on people against whom India has issued look-out notices, a Home Ministry official said.
It is still in consultation stage and no decision has been taken on it yet, the official said.
The consideration comes after controversial arms dealer was Sanjay Bhandari suspected to have fled to the UK from Kathmandu.
India and Nepal have an open border which allows free movement of each other's citizens.
In 2004, Rabinder Singh, a joint secretary in India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), was believed to have fled to the US through Nepal, weeks after he was found photocopying documents not related to his work.
Bhandari left the country late last year after Delhi Police booked him for alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
The CBI also forwarded to the Interpol Delhi Police's request for the issuance of Red Corner Notice against Bhandari.
The ED had, last year, issued summons to Bhandari and his aides to submit documents related to the transactions of their firms as part of its probe into the case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The ED's Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent of a police FIR, has taken note of the preliminary investigations done by the Ministry of Defence and the Income Tax Department against Bhandari.
ECIR has also recorded the charges made against him under the Official Secrets Act and those for alleged tax evasion by the Income Tax Department.
The case first came to light after the I-T Department conducted searches against Bhandari last April and recovered certain "sensitive" official defence documents from his premises.
First Published: Monday, February 20, 2017 - 18:37
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