'New UK visa rules will prevent brain drain from India'

As India voiced its concern over new visa rules with visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May, noted Indian origin solicitor in the UK Sarosh Zaiwalla feels the new British immigration rules will ensure that fine Indian brains, after qualifying in UK universities, will return to India to contribute to make India great.

Zaiwalla, who is Founder and Senior Partner of Zaiwalla & Co., told IANS in an email: "On any platform of bilateral dialogue with the UK, India has always raised its concerns with the immigration norms." The issue, he said, was of utmost importance to India and the country has been repeatedly citing the near 50 per cent drop in UK university admissions in its arguments.

"However, it would be in India's best interest to avoid further brain drain of young intelligent minds out of India. In fact the new British immigration rules will ensure that fine Indian brains, after qualifying in British universities will return to India to contribute to make India great."

Speaking about a possible trade pact between India and the UK, Zaiwalla said: "Britain's keen interest in India is expected to bear fruit -- Mahatma Gandhi when asked by the British Viceroy "Mr Gandhi what do you want?" Gandhiji replied "I want British to leave India as rulers and return as partners".

He said a trade pact between Britain and India would mark a new chapter in relations between the two nations which would be in keeping with the Gandhian vision. Even though Britain's shaky economic and political landscape has prepared the nation to seek opportunities universally, the positioning of India as the initial choice does not come as a surprise, he added.

The world's fastest growing economy witnessed a decline in direct trade with the UK in the last four quarters but experts points out that this number is set to double within the next four years -- with the trade pact agreed upon during the bilateral trip.

"Key interest areas of Indian exports such as IT, software and healthcare are likely to witness a boost, while Britain will possibly seek concessions in export of financial services for which India is quite likely to endow preferential deals," he said.

--IANS

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