India is not asking for additional visas as part of its free trade agreement with the UK, according to its High Commissioner in London, Vikram K Doraiswami. Instead, the focus is on making it easier for Indian companies to transfer employees to the UK when necessary.
Doraiswami emphasized that Indian firms operating in the UK prioritize local recruitment rather than bringing in staff from India. “The conversation in the UK oddly centers on visas, but we are not requesting visas as part of the trade deal,” he said on Wednesday. “There is a mobility element, but it’s mainly about inter-company transfers, and it goes both ways.”
He noted that many British companies have operations in India and vice versa, highlighting the importance of smoother personnel movement between countries. However, he stressed that such transfers are typically short-term and not the primary method of staffing for Indian firms in the UK.
The UK and India are pushing ahead with trade negotiations in response to growing global economic instability caused by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Trump’s decisions sparked market chaos, slashing trillions from global stock values before he reversed some of the tariff hikes—initially imposing a 10% levy on UK imports and 27% on Indian goods.
India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, recently met with UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves in London, reinforcing New Delhi’s commitment to forming strategic trade partnerships. Sitharaman said India is pursuing more trade deals in response to U.S. policies, and while visa issues have long been a sticking point in UK-India negotiations, Doraiswami clarified that they're not a central demand.
He further stated that the trade deal is intended to be a long-term strategic alignment between the two nations—both among the world’s six largest economies. “This is about a deeper, forward-looking partnership. More trade, more investments, more joint ventures in science, tech, and manufacturing,” Doraiswami explained.
Last week, Sitharaman and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hosted a high-level roundtable with major firms like HSBC, Vodafone, Tide, Aviva, WNS, and Mizuho International. UK officials said that about 90% of the trade deal is already finalized, with remaining discussions focused on sectors like whisky, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.
Doraiswami concluded by stating that India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047 requires stronger global partnerships, and the UK remains a key partner in that journey.
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