India Sticks to Demand for Professional Visa Before UK Visit

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to visit India on Tuesday, marking a significant diplomatic move under the new Labour government. This visit comes as the UK and India seek to navigate the stalled Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, which began in January 2022 during the Conservative administration but have been interrupted by elections in both countries.

The FTA talks reached their fourteenth round before being paused, and India is looking for clarity on whether the Labour government will resume negotiations from where they left off in March or start the process anew. High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami has emphasized that while visa issues are not a priority, there is a strong focus on enhancing trade in goods and services between the two nations.

Lammy, who had previously criticized former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for missing the Diwali 2022 deadline for the FTA, is determined to expedite the agreement. His visit is expected to be a key step in fulfilling the Labour Party’s commitment to a new strategic partnership with India.

The new strategic partnership is anticipated to cover various areas including security, education, and technology. Lammy's visit is expected to play a crucial role in advancing these discussions and potentially breaking the deadlock in the FTA negotiations.