India-UK: ‘FTA not signed due to higher visa demands’, statement from former UK trade minister

New Delhi| Former British Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch claimed that she had blocked the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) due to higher visa demands. Kemi is currently in the race to become the head of the Conservative Party in place of former Indian-origin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This information was given in British media reports.

‘One of the reasons why the FTA was not able to be signed was that the Indian side had expected more concessions on the issue of migration’, Badenoch said Speaking to ‘The Telegraph’, the Nigerian-origin leader said, when I was the Trade Minister, I made efforts to limit migration. But in the FTA with India they were repeatedly talking about migration and I refused for it. This was one of the reasons why we did not sign it (FTA).

However, some former Conservative ministers, in talks with ‘The Times’, rejected her claims, saying that Badenoch was in favor of the agreement and conducted several rounds of talks. A former minister said, Kemi wanted a compromise at any cost and she felt that the objections raised were not serious. The former minister said, the reality was that the strength of all the deals rested with the Indian side and they were in a stronger position than us in the talks. We were always starting from a weak position.

However, a source close to Badenoch rejected these claims and said that the Indian government decided not to compromise with the Conservatoire government. They (Indian side) believed that they could negotiate better terms under Labor Party rule. The source said, Kemi did not want to make any agreement that would change Britain’s migration rules. It is completely wrong that he talked about visa. India decided to step back because they felt they would make a better deal on students and social security in the Labor government.

Meanwhile, FTA talks are likely to begin next month under the Wall Labor Party government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But the UK authorities are still unable to set a deadline after 14 rounds of negotiations. “We are committed to an FTA with India and plan to resume talks as soon as possible”, Starmer’s foreign affairs spokesperson told PTI this week.

Badenoch and his opponent Robert Jenrick in the election to head the Conservation Party are debating the policies of various sectors, with migration emerging as a major issue. Sunak’s Conservation Party had to face defeat in the general elections held in July this year. The race continues to elect Sunak’s successor. The new head of the party will be announced on November 2.