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Context
Discussions likely to continue at the Home Secretary-level
What has happened?
The failure of Britain and India to sign a key memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal migrants during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Wednesday has been greeted with surprise, as the agreement was seen as a key element of the visit.
What India wants?
Better Visa access for professionals and students
The point of contention
- Britain wants India to step up the speed and volume of returns of Indians with no right to remain in the U.K
- Britain’s expectations on these issues were beyond the level India was willing to commit to
What now?
Discussions on this issue are expected to continue at Home Secretary level next month.
Current situation in Britain: It is tightening immigration rules
What is Windrush Generation?
- People who came from African and Caribbean countries under a rule allowing freedom of movement within the Commonwealth in the year 1948 on the ship named HMT Empire Windrush
- Minors travelled on their parents’ documents and some never registered for a passport as they did not intend to travel abroad
- These passengers on board the Windrush were invited to come to Britain after World War Two, to assist with labour shortages by the government
The issue
- They were never asked for any documents proving their status and weren’t given any documents from the authorities
- So now they are being asked to leave the UK due to lack of any document
The bigger picture
- The British government is facing wider questions around its treatment of Commonwealth citizens, particularly as it pegs the Commonwealth as a route for post-Brexit trade to flourish
- The Windrush issue and the Indian [illegal returns memo] issue have suggested that Britain is going in the direction of restricted access to people
