Rishi Sunak throws open Britain’s doors to 3,000 Indian graduates to pave way for trade deal
RISHI Sunak has thrown open Britain’s borders to 3,000 more Indian graduates to help pave the way for a major trade deal.
A deal has been signed off allowing degree-educated young professionals to spend two years here before returning home.
But the move risks a battle with the Home Secretary Suella Braverman after giving the green light after she blasted migrant over-stayers.
It comes as the Prime Minister “wouldn’t sacrifice quality for speed” as he appeared to dampen speculation about a trade deal being on the horizon.
He will announce the visa deal today when he meets Indian PM Narendra Modi where 3,000 people a year will be able to come and stay here for two years.
The reciprocal deal is part of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership which was agreed last year.
Read More on Rishi Sunak
Mr Sunak said: “The Indo-Pacific is increasingly crucial for our security and our prosperity.
“It is teeming with dynamic and fast-growing economies, and the next decade will be defined by what happens in this region.
“I know first-hand the incredible value of the deep cultural and historic ties we have with India.
“I am pleased that even more of India’s brightest young people will now have the opportunity to experience all that life in the UK has to offer – and vice-versa – making our economies and societies richer.”
Most read in The Sun
The new deal comes after the Home Secretary blasted the immigration system in this country.
She said: “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 co-operation in this regard. It has not necessarily worked very well.”
Trade negotiators are currently in talks with India over a trade deal and is set to be the first with a European country.
The trade relationship between the two countries is worth £24 billion.
But he said: “I think the India trade deal is obviously a fantastic opportunity for the UK and I talked to Prime Minister Modi about it when we spoke and no doubt we’ll be talking about it again when we meet this week.
Read More on The Sun
“But I wouldn’t sacrifice quality for speed. And that goes for all trade deals. It’s important that we get them right rather than rush them and so that’s the approach I’ll take on trade deals.
He added that a deal “is just one part of a broader relationship we have which is incredibly strong and indeed strategic and happens across multiple different aspects of policy”.