Britain allays concerns over migration issues

 
Mandelson said Britain is the country of choice for new innovative Indian firms when they position themselves for the European market or establish a European research and development presence.

He said there were concerns among some in India that changes to the UK's migration system might put this at risk. "But I can guarantee you that while we do have to guard the system against abuse, the route to Britain for skilled and qualified Indian workers and investors will remain open,” he said, adding that the UK is increasingly keen to partner with India on publicly funded development research.

Mandelson said the UK government is encouraging British universities to internationalise higher education and seek out Indian partners for student and faculty exchanges and developing joint and complimentary curricula. This, he said, must be a two-way flow, with UK students and faculty coming here to experience modern India.

He was appreciative of the Indian technical and scientific class. For the last decade, more than a quarter of America's IT and software companies have been founded by Indian emigrants, he pointed out.

Wipro tie-up

After a visit to IT major Wipro campus here, he said, Wipro had "impressive plans" for developing low carbon business in the UK. During the visit, the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Wipro entered into an agreement to enhance partnerships in low carbon technologies. Lord Mandelson and Premji signed the partnership agreement.

Asked to elaborate on Wipro's "impressive plans", Lord Mandelson said: "We are now developing a trillion pound market in low carbon goods and services and technologies in Britain and we are well ahead of the curve".

Talks with Tatas

In the wake of Corus announcing closure of Teesside steel plant rendering 1,700 employees jobless, Mandelson said he would hold talks with the Tatas, who own the Anglo- Dutch steel-maker.

He said he would hold discussions with the Tata senior management about the future of Corus, particularly the plant on the Teesside in the northeast of England.