Theresa May goes barefoot to meet Indian PM Narendra Modi and plays hard ball over illegal immigrants

DEFIANT Prime Minister Theresa May took off her shoes to meet her opposite number in India yesterday — but was not afraid to put the boot in on immigration.

She said India must take back thousands of illegal immigrants if they want Downing Street to loosen visa rules.

Mrs May laid down the law as she slipped off her shoes to meet Indian Premier Narendra Modi — who had called for the UK to let in more workers and students.

But the PM put her foot down claiming it was a “trust” issue and India must do its part in taking back immigrants who “over-stay” in the UK.

Officials are said to be furious with the bureaucratic hurdles Delhi puts in the way before accepting Indians back from the UK.

Following talks in Hyderabad House, the PM said she would “consider further improvements” to the visa offer.

But she said at the same time they must “step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the UK”.

A new high level working group will be set up between the UK and India to thrash out migration concerns alongside organised crime.

The UK issued 460,000 visas to Indians in the year to July, from tourism to students and workers.

Indian diplomats claim more student and work visas will be needed as the price of any free trade deal.

Despite the tensions over migration, Theresa May lavished praise on India yesterday as she talked of the huge potential trading links between the two countries.

Her 90-minute meeting with Mr Modi was her first bilateral visit outside of Europe since entering Number 10 and took in the terror threat and business opportunities.

Mrs May was in India with 30 firms ranging from whisky giant Diageo to small exporters.

She said a billion pounds’ worth of deals would be signed during the two-day visit.

But she said Britain would not “turn its back on the world” once it has left the EU.

And she said new economic relationships had to benefit all sides. Mrs May said: “I chose to make India my first ever trade mission.

“And that’s because of the very special partnership between our countries — not just in the business that we do with one another.

“More trade, more investment and fewer barriers to doing business in our two countries will make us all more prosperous, peaceful and secure.

“With this unique partnership there is so much potential for us to advance these things.”

Meanwhile, Mrs May revealed that Britain is aiming for an unprecedented arms push into India.

She said the UK would be at the front of the queue as India splashes out £23billion on defence between now and 2030.

And she called for India to be given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, cricket hero Geoff Boycott has said Mrs May will be the new Maggie Thatcher when she delivers Brexit and frees Britain from “stupid" EU rules.