No plans to increase UK visa facilities for Indians: Keir Starmer

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in India on a two-day visit to strengthen trade and economic ties with India. He arrived at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday (October 8) morning. At the start of his visit, he made it clear that there will be no relaxation in the UK's visa policy for Indian citizens.

"We have huge opportunities to develop trade and cultural relations with India. However, there are no plans to change the visa policy," Starmer said. He stressed that the focus of the discussion will be on business partnerships, investment, jobs and the overall prosperity of the UK - not visas.

The current Labour government is already moving towards tightening the country's immigration policy. Last week, the party conference announced new and stricter rules on permanent residence for foreigners. The government's aim is to control the number of immigrants in the UK and increase employment opportunities for local people.

Starmer is leading a delegation of more than 100 people on his visit, including business leaders, cultural figures, university vice-chancellors and representatives from various sectors. One of the goals of the visit is to increase investment in the UK and revive the country's sluggish economic growth.

The UK signed a landmark trade deal with India in July. Under the deal, Indian clothing and jewellery will be imported into the UK more easily, while UK cars and whisky will be exported to India at lower prices. As part of the deal, Indian nationals working in the UK on short-term visas will be exempt from paying social security costs for three years.

However, UK ministers have made it clear that the trade deal has nothing to do with immigration or visa policy. "This deal is not about visas," Starmer told reporters on his way to India. "Our goal is to develop economic relations, not to extend visas."

Journalists also asked him whether the UK would change its visa policy after US President Donald Trump imposed fees on skilled worker visa (H-1B) applications. In response, Starmer said, “We want to welcome the best talent in the world to the UK, but there will be no specific policy for any particular country.”

During this two-day visit, Starmer is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Diplomatic sources said that the meeting will discuss trade, technology cooperation, renewable energy investment and global security issues.

In response to journalists’ questions, Starmer also said that he has not sent any kind of greeting message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has no intention of sending one in the future. Regarding India’s position on buying Russian oil, he said, “The UK is watching the disguised ships carrying Russian oil.”

Keir Starmer’s stance on his India visit has made it clear that the current Labour government in the UK is determined to maintain strictness, not flexibility, in its immigration policy. On the other hand, both countries hope to take India-UK relations to new heights through trade and investment cooperation.