India has asserted that the developed countries should not adopt a protectionist attitude towards emerging economies amid growing concerns over Britain's decision to impose a cap on immigration from non-EU countries.
Reacting to Britain's decision to impose a cap on immigration from the non-EU countries, Commerce Minister of India Anand Sharma said "developed countries cannot have protectionist attitude toward emerging economies anymore".
Home Secretary Theresa May Monday announced an annual limit of 24,100 for non-European Union professionals to be allowed into the UK until April 2011.
It could hit thousands of highly skilled Indian professionals who will not be able to take up jobs in Britain after the government announced a limit of 24,100 for non-European Union professionals to be allowed into the country.
Indian professionals are among the highest non-EU groups who migrate to Britain to take up jobs in IT, medicine, services and education sectors.
Details of how the final limit will be delivered will be agreed following a 12-week consultation with trade and industry.
As far as the UK is concerned, India is the second largest investor after the USA. There are 500 Indian companies in the country and is the
biggest employer after the UK.
Sharma wanted the UK to bear this in mind.
The minister also met Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Business Secretary Vince Cable and took up the issue of the cap on immigration.
Sharma said the UK government should keep in view India's large investment in UK and the fact that the move should not be detrimental to
Indian businessmen who use Britain as a hub.
He also said that the response of the British government officials was "positive" on his concerns on the immigration issue and that they told him that it will be discussed afresh with the Home Office.
The minister said he had impressed upon the British government that the cap should not come in the way of free movement of professional and
businessmen.
Pointing out the fact that "Indian companies use UK as their hub and the capping of immigration can be detrimental," Sharma asked the government to ensure it does not obstruct in any manner the professional and business movement.
He said Indian companies have invested excess of USD 20 billion in the UK, while British companies had invested USD 18 billion in India, in addition to the investment made by Vodafone.
Cameron and Sharma reviewed bilateral relations and looked into various priority areas where additional thrust needs to be given, including science, technology, innovation, education, infrastructure, agriculture and food
processing.
Sharma told newsmen that Cameron told him that he had "a very good meeting" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Toronto and also discussed his July visit to India.
Cameron said he was looking forward to the visit as the two sides discussed economic engagement and agreed to work together in the
multilateral forums.
Sharma was told that Cameron will be accompanied by a strong delegation to India.
"The two sides will put in place a mechanism to regularly review the progress of implementation of decisions taken in various sectors so that government, if needed, can intervene or take corrective steps," the minister
said.
Sharma, during his meeting with Hague discussed linkages of institutions, service sector and investment and reciprocal recognition of professional degrees, particularly in law and accounting.
On the Doha round of WTO negotiations, Sharma said both countries are striving to see that they reach a rule-based regime for successful
conclusion of the trade talks.
He said it is very clear that Britain is committed to elevate bilateral
relations to a higher level. Sharma said the mood was "very positive" during his discussions with Cameron.
It is significant that Cameron will be undertaking his first state visit to India, he said.