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4h ago

UK and India Near Finalizing Trade Deal with Limited Visa Concessions

India accepts minor UK visa changes as negotiators focus on pension and carbon tax issues in final stages of trade talks.

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Sir Keir Starmer met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, at the G20 summit last year. The government has rebuffed Delhi’s requests for a big increase in the number of work visas
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Overview

  • India has agreed to limited UK visa concessions, with around 100 additional visas for Indian workers annually under the finalized mobility chapter.
  • The UK’s visa offer falls short of India’s initial request for larger quotas in sectors like IT and healthcare but provides firms with greater certainty on inter-company transfers.
  • India’s chief negotiator, Piyush Goyal, is visiting London this week to push for exemptions on UK pension contributions for short-stay Indian workers and clarifications on the carbon border tax.
  • Concerns have been raised by India regarding the potential negative impact of the UK’s proposed carbon tax on its exports, including steel and cement.
  • The UK government remains focused on securing a trade deal that cuts tariffs, improves market access, and supports economic growth for both nations.