The Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai has clearly expressed his intention of emphasizing on the visa requirements for entrepreneurs, businessmen and students, and asked UK for showing some sort of leniency in the said requirements, in a meeting with Simon Fraser, his UK counterpart, held in last week.

Both foreign secretaries have taken several aspects of immigration and bilateral relation – to discuss in the recent meeting. Throwing light on some important issues like Visa issuing, economic ties and consular issues, Mathai cleared his intention of strengthening Indo-UK relationship and taking it in a progressive way.

Considering UK’s contribution as an investor in India, the 60-year-old foreign minister said in clear words to Fraser that India is keen to see UK as a prime investor, currently holds the position of a fourth largest investor in the country . With over 700 companies successfully operating business and engaged in enhancing economy of the UK, India’s, widely recognized as major investor, wonderful contribution in investment in UK can’t be ignored.

However, the hope of leniency in UK visa requirements is expected to foster the investment program between India and UK.  The officials revealed that the two sides were majorly focused on the economic relationship, acknowledging wonderful growth, despite facing the global slowdown. The notable trade growth of India-UK, nearly USD$16 billion (current figure) against the $12.5 billion in 2011-12, clearly verifies the fact.