Rishi Sunak rules out more student visas in exchange for trade deal with India as he personally takes charge of talks
RISHI Sunak ruled out more student visas in exchange for an Indian trade deal – as he personally takes charge of talks today.
The PM is meeting with Indian leader Narendra Modi for a summit at the G20 in New Delhi where they are expected to discuss terms of an agreement.
Downing Street has scrambled to kill off fears the deal will mean thousands more student visas amid signs of a growing Tory revolt.
Senior Conservatives warned Rishi that going soft on borders would create a “powder keg” that would reignite civil war in the party.
Home Sec Suella Braverman spoke out against inviting more migrants to Britain in Cabinet earlier this week.
The PM’s spokesman said: “To be crystal clear, there are no plans to change our immigration policy to achieve this free trade agreement – that includes student visas.
“That has always been the case, but we are happy to provide reassurance.”
He said only business visas are being looked at.
He added: “The mobility provisions that are considered as part of trade deals as standard are related to the temporary movement of business.
“We are not looking to change our approach to student visas as part of this.”
Migration hit 1.2 million people last year and has rocketed up the political agenda.
Net migration – the number of people moving to Britain minus the number leaving – was a record high of 606,000.
Rishi is committed to getting those numbers down, his official spokesman said.
He said: “The PM has been clear he believes the current levels of migration are too high.
“He and the Home Secretary and indeed the Immigration Minister are united in their commitment to reducing net migration.”
Rishi is keen to seal a trade deal with India before the end of the year.
If he succeeds, Britain will become the first European country to have an Indian trade deal.
The PM – who is of Indian descent – is expected to be greeted by Rishimania when he touches down in New Delhi today.
Posters with Rishi’s face are plastered across lots of the walls in the city, which is over the moon at his elevation to No10.
Hailing the landmark visit, the PM’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s visit to New Delhi will also of course be his first to India since he took office as the first British Prime Minister of Indian descent.
“His visit will be an historic moment and a powerful reminder of the living bridge, which exists between our two countries.”
He added: “The Prime Minister is committed to completing an FTA [free trade agreement] with India which delivers for the British people.”
But back home in Britain, Tory MPs are privately preparing to stage a mutiny if Rishi goes wobbly on borders to get a trade deal over the line.
Tory MPs said handing over thousands more student visas would create a “powder keg” which will explode Tory divisions wide open.
One Red Wall MP said: “There would be mutiny in the ranks if the PM opened the immigration floodgates to get this deal done. It would be utter madness.”
Mr Sunak will also use the summit to tear into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
India has sparked international criticism by staying neutral and refusing to break ties with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Sunak will use the summit to put pressure on PM Modi to finally get tough on Russia.
His official spokesman said: “We will use every opportunity to show our support for Ukraine and further foster global support as well.
“I think India, of course has a vital role to play as the world’s largest democracy, calling out Russia’s assault on human rights and indeed democracy itself, and we will use meetings with Modi or elsewhere to encourage them to use that influence to bring an end to the brutal invasion.”
