UK MPs for fast-track visa services |
Recalling the historic contribution of India and other Commonwealth countries , 45 ruling Conservative MPs have called for fast-track visa services to their citizens as Brexit drives Britain to look for newer trade relationships outside Europe.In a letter to Home secretary Amber Rudd , the MPs urged her to “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners”, and recalled that the Commonwealth countries stood with Britain “as we faced existential threats from abroad but as we pivoted to Europe, increasingly, our Commonwealth allies were left in the cold”. The letter published in The Sunday Telegraph does not seek easier visa terms, but easier conditions for Indian and Commonwealth citizens once they land at Heathrow and other ports of entry. It mentions a scenario faced by many Indians, who wait in long queues at immigration.The lack of consideration for Commonwealth citizens is at its starkest at our border…(While) EU citizens are collecting their luggage or exchanging greetings with loved ones, our Commonwealth friends wait tirelessly in the ‘All other passports’ queue”, it said. The MPs, including Indian-origin Shailesh Vara, noted that in 2015, Britain welcomed 2.2 million visitors from Australia, Canada and India alone, who spent over 2 billion pounds.
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