India-Britain Free Trade Deal on the verge of breaking...

India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) hangs in balance after UK's Indian-origin home Secretary Suella Braverman's recent remarks. Braverman had voiced her concerns about visa overstay from india in an interview. After this statement, india has also become very cautious and strict. A statement came from india and said that in the coming time any deal will be done keeping in view the interests and benefits of both the countries. Now the question is, will the deal between the two countries end due to this tussle?  The important question is also whether britain will allow this important deal to go away in the midst of its faltering economy?

What did Braverman say?

Braverman said she feared a trade deal with india would increase migration to the UK, when indians already represent the largest group of visa overstayers. According to Braverman, the indian diaspora is the largest group of people in this country that spend the most time travelling. "I worry about an open border migration policy with india because I don't think people have voted for Brexit," she told The Spectator weekly news magazine. She had said that “We also entered into an agreement with the government of india last year to encourage and facilitate better cooperation in this regard. 

What is India's reaction to Braverman's statement?

India is clearly upset with Braverman's statement. The UK-based The Times newspaper, citing indian government sources, reported that India's ministers were "shocked and disappointed" by the "derogatory" remarks made by Braverman. Also, a report by Politico claimed that prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK during diwali to sign the FTA is unlikely now. Furthermore, some on social media have pointed out that the indian High Commission's new rule in the UK that would require british nationals to attend visa centers in person is a retaliation for Braverman's comments.