Rediff On The NeT:India opposes new British visa scheme

India warned Britain on Monday that it might take "reciprocal" action if a pilot scheme requiring some Indians to post a 10,000 pound ($ 16,000) bond to visit Britain proved to be discriminatory.

"It is our expectation that in consular matters any new rules or guidelines adopted by a country should be implemented across the board on a non-discriminatory basis for citizens of all countries," a foreign ministry statement said.

"We would like to clarify that in the event that such rules and guidelines are instituted, we reserve the right to take reciprocal action," it added.

The pilot scheme, to be introduced later this year, would require certain short-stay visa applicants to provide a 10,000-pound bond, refundable on their leaving Britain before the expiry of the visa.

India, and perhaps Pakistan and Bangladesh would be the initial countries targeted, with others being included if the scheme proved to be a success.

While the immediate reaction to the scheme included criticism of discrimination, Britain insists that it will actually allow more Indian citizens to visit Britain, while cracking down on those who try to stay in the country illegally.

According to officials at the British High Commission in New Delhi, the scheme will operate in favour of those Indians who had previously been refused visas because of concerns that they would try and settle in Britain illegally.

Last year 56,000 British visas were issued to Indians in Delhi and another 65,000 in Bombay. A total of 17,000 applicants were rejected.

"Indians who, for some reason or another, had been deemed ineligible for a visa before, may now be able to travel for short stays once they have posted the bond," an embassy official said. "Other visa applicants will not be affected," the official added.

New Delhi is still "ascertaining the facts" of the issue, a Indian Foreign Ministry statement said, adding curtly that it had not "been extended the courtesy of being consulted."

British press reports quoted Home Office officials as rejecting charges that the scheme was biased and penalised poor people.

"The prospective loss of the bond money must be a real incentive to the sponsor to encourage the visitor to abide by his immigration conditions," one Home Office spokesman was quoted as saying.

The scheme will come up for discussion during the four-day visit of British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Keith Vaz beginning Tuesday.

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