Matter best left to trade Ministers, says Ministry of External Affairs on UK pact

The MEA has India and UK are conducting negotiations over the proposed FTA and the matter is best left to the two Trade Ministers. "Ongoing negotiations...best matter is left to trade ministers of the two countries", MEA spokesperson told reporters on India UK FTA that has hit roadblock among other issues over UK Home Secretary's remarks over illegal migrants. There were earlier plans by PM Narendra Modi to travel to the UK if the trade pact is sealed around Diwali and this seems a challenging task currently.

Last week, the Indian-origin Home Secretary said that she feared a trade deal with India would increase migration to the UK when Indians already represented the largest group of visa overstayers. This has riled Indian policymakers. "I have concerns about having an open borders migration policy with India because I don't think that's what people voted for with Brexit," Braverman told 'The Spectator' weekly news magazine.

Asked about visa flexibility for students and entrepreneurs under an India-UK FTA, she said: "But I do have some reservations. Look at migration in this country - the largest group of people who overstay are Indian migrants."

"We even reached an agreement with the Indian government last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well." Braverman was referencing the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) clinched by her predecessor in the Home Office, former Home Secretary Priti Patel.

The Indian High Commission in London responded by pointing out that action had been initiated on all cases referred to it under the MMP. The Department for International Trade (DIT) reiterated the UK stance that it would not sacrifice quality for speed.