It boggles the rational mind that the UK would take such a disastrous step of excluding Indian students from the Tier 4 visa category — whose rules have been relaxed — when the two countries are basking in the glow of bonhomie. Surprisingly, the same list has been expanded to include China, Bahrain, and Serbia with whom Britain’s business and cultural ties aren’t time-tested. Such a discriminatory move has naturally caused outrage among Indians who feel cheated and humiliated. One feels compelled to ask why is India deemed high risk only when it comes to students, while the same Theresa May government has removed the visa cap for Indian doctors and nurses?
On the one hand, UK will invite skilled people from India, and on the other hand, subject Indian students applying to study in the UK to rigorous documentation. Such double standards are all the more appalling since cash-strapped UK universities rely on Indian students for their survival. With its economy not in a rosy state as Brexit negotiations are underway, and the amount of funding for higher education — primarily via tuition fees — having increased by 50 per cent since 10 years ago, UK is in dire economic straits. Despite the tight regulations, India still occupies the top position in the list of countries sending their students to the UK, though its fascination with British universities has considerably declined.
For most Indian youngsters applying for higher education in foreign universities, the US is now a preferred destination. In 2014, a British Council report had warned UK about the pitfalls of losing out on Indian students. It had urged universities to not restrict themselves only to recruiting students and widen the sphere of possibilities by forging partnerships with India. The report envisaged that such a move would create new opportunities for UK students and academics to study and teach in India, as well as encourage collaboration through research. In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with his British counterpart during the Commonwealth Heads of the Governments Meeting in April, this year, technology and education occupied the centre stage along with trade. And, now this volte-face will likely cast a shadow of uncertainty on the joint initiatives.
While it is an accepted idea that bilateral relations do not give a carte blanche to either country, UK government’s stand on Indian students doesn’t stand the test of common sense. The Brexit divorce will prove to be an extremely costly affair for Britain if it loses out on India’s friendship. UK companies have invested a whopping $21.4 billion in India over the last ten years because of the latter’s growing economic status. There is immense scope to further many more economic ventures in mutually beneficial sectors. Hence, it is in the interest of both India and Britain to remove the thorns on the bilateral path. May’s government needs to take a look at the big picture to understand why Indians are angry and frustrated over the strict student visa rules.
