‘India should raise UK visa bond issue with Prince Charles’

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has said it wants the controversial GBP 3,000 visa bond scheme for Indians visiting the UK to be abandoned, and that the government should raise the issue with Prince Charles during his visit to India next month. “We want the controversial visa bond policy, by which visitors to the UK from six Commonwealth countries including India will be required to furnish a bond for GBP 3,000 for a sixmonth visa, to be abandoned,” ASSOCHAM said.

Last week, George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK unveiled a liberal visa policy for citizens of China visiting Britain in a bid to woo Chinese investment. Pointing out that there was no merit in the argument that visa bond policy would be implemented on pilot basis for so-called ‘high-risk visitors’, ASSOCHAM said,

“It is bound to be misused and create confusion. In fact, India should make it clear to British authorities that the move would even be challenged in the World Trade Organisation as it impairs fair international trade.”

“As its economic clout increases, India must seek a treatment from the UK which is no less different and inferior to the one meted out to China,” the Chamber said.

“Several Indian companies, notably the Tatas, have invested billions of dollars in Britain creating and saving jobs in that country,” ASSOCHAM pointed out.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla ParkerBowles will make a nine- day visit to India next month on their way to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This will be the royal couple’s third official visit to India together.

The trip, from November 6 to 14, will take them to Dehradun, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and

Kochi.