India and UK's ambitious free trade deal is reportedly on the verge of collapse, thanks to a few loose lips in UK PM Liz Truss's government. The trade deal was supposed to be sealed by October, but the deadline has been missed. Now, a Diwali deadline also seems to be in trouble.
Recap: The India-UK free trade deal was launched in January 2022.
So, what happened? The latest issue threatening the deal is UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman's comments on immigrants from India.
India's immigration numbers to the UK: In 2020, around 20,000 Indians overstayed their visas. It was the highest compared to other nationalities.
What does India want from the deal? Increased immigration is one of the conditions set forth by India in the free trade deal. It doesn't mean unrestricted travel, but a smoother movement of professionals like doctors, engineers, technicians, etc.
The irony of Suella Braverman's comments is not lost on Indian Twitter. Braverman is of Indian origin herself with a love for the British Empire. Moreover, it's common knowledge about who has the worst history of overstaying their welcome and where.
This bit about Indians overstaying their visas in UK is a bit rich coming from Cruella Braverman!
— Soumitra Pathare 🌻 সৌমিত্র சௌமித்ரா பாடாரே (@netshrink) October 12, 2022
I mean, the British were the largest group who overstayed in India for 150 years & we never complained.
I don't think Indians have overstayed in UK that long ever https://t.co/Rigq49uEBG