Starmer Rules Out Visa Changes, Highlights UK University Opportunities in India
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out introducing new visa routes for Indian students and workers, reaffirming that the focus of his two-day visit to India is on trade, education, and cultural cooperation rather than immigration reform.
Speaking to reporters on his flight to Mumbai, Starmer emphasised that “relaxing visa rules for India is not part of the plans,” adding that none of the 100 business and education leaders accompanying him had raised visa concerns. “The issue is not about visas – it’s about investment, innovation, and prosperity for both the United Kingdom and India,” he said.
The UK leader’s visit is centred on strengthening the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expected to boost Britain’s GDP by £4.8bn annually and generate up to USD 10bn in export growth. While the FTA offers limited immigration concessions – such as the Young Professionals Scheme and a three-year National Insurance exemption for Indian workers – Starmer confirmed that no wider visa changes are being considered.
Accompanied by 14 university vice-chancellors, including leaders from the University of Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, and Imperial College London, Starmer highlighted the growing role of UK universities in India’s higher education landscape. Institutions such as Southampton and Coventry have already launched or announced campuses in cities like Gurugram, GIFT City, and Bengaluru.
“The aim is not to recruit more Indian students to the UK, but to bring British education closer to them,” Starmer explained, calling India’s expanding education market a “massive opportunity” for collaboration.
The visit also underscored cultural and creative partnerships, with the British Film Institute and the National Theatre joining the delegation to explore co-productions and talent exchanges.
Starmer is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade, technology, and defence collaboration under the ongoing Technology Security Initiative.
“With India set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, the opportunities for growth are unmatched,” Starmer said, calling the FTA “a launchpad for a shared future.”
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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