UK Government is thinking of tightening the UK visa tourist visa regime. A country that has beenopen and has stared to benefit from such opennes is thinking about joining Fortress Europe! Oh Dear!
The detail is in the text I have taken from the Beeb – but before you read this think about the following:
Prof Amartya Sen (Nobel Prize winner) was Master of Trinity College – about as Establishement as it can get – and he always had an Indian passport! Meanwhile UK welcomed Stelios and he started easyjet – so imagine if it might be even remotely possible for an English man to go start an airline in Greece or Cyprus?? Unlikely! More recently – in Cambridge – we have had people relocate from Spain, France, India and elsewhere because the atmosphere of openness and opportunity is welcoming.
By taking this action (if it eventually does) – and expecting a Minister to try and explain this to Indians in a visit in February – this is a real faux pas! It just sends out the wrong signal to the talented young people that is crucially needed by Britain.
In various demographic studies – there is clear evidence that there is going to be a workforce shortage over the next 3 – 4 decades in Europe and a surplus in India. To maintain good relations and benefit from this balancing economic need – Britain and India will have to act in mature ways. Visa and immigration rules on both sides will have to keep an eye on teh future.
Here is the announcement:
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070036227&ch=12/18/2007%208:37:00%20PM
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