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India UK to ink illegal migrants pact
Context
India will sign a pact with the United Kingdom for a return of illegal Indian migrants within a month of their being detected by authorities. The MoU on sharing of criminal records is in line with a similar agreement signed with the U.S
Backdrop
The U.K. has consistently raised the issue of return of illegal migrants — said to number in thousands — with India. The memorandum of understanding comes ahead of Prime Minister NarendraModi’s proposed visit in March
Improved Visa deal
During her visit to India in 2016, British Prime Minister Theresa May said the U.K. would consider an improved visa deal, “if, at the same time, we can step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the U.K.”
Delegation to UK
- Mallya’s extradition: Minister of State for Home KirenRijiju will lead a delegation to the U.K. this week. The team is expected to ask Westminster to “spell out” its position in court on businessman Vijay Mallya’s extradition
- Concerns over anti-India propaganda: Mr.Rijiju is also expected to convey New Delhi’s concerns on the continuing anti-India propaganda carried out by Sikh and Kashmiri extremist groups based in the U.K.that bear “serious repercussions on India’s sovereignty.”
Benefit of the MoU
- MoU will streamline the return of illegal migrants to India
“The process was not streamlined yet. The British authorities will first identify the illegal migrant, the Indian authorities will be informed and then the verification will be done by police agencies back home. If the claims of the British authorities are found to be correct, then travel documents will be readied and the person deported by the U.K. authorities. This process will have a timeline of one month,” said the official
