“Bengaluru needs to look at an infrastructure plan,” said British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru Dominic McAllister following the flooding in the city last month. Speaking to The News Minute, McAllister said while British companies will come to India’s Silicon Valley given that “new talent is here”, he pointed out that when it comes to infrastructure, “the situation needs to move forward.”
He also pointed to partnerships between India and the UK, where the City of London is expected to channel investments into infrastructure projects and provide its expertise.
The Deputy High Commissioner also put to rest fears of prospective students who wish to study in the UK following Brexit, noting, “The visa issue is misunderstood. The opportunities are still good. Students need to plan ahead if they wish to study further or wish to be employed.”
The UK has seen a dip in the number of Indian students in the last few years following strict visa regulations and the scrapping of the post-study work visa. UK government data shows the number of UK study visas issues to Indians dropped to 11,864 in 2015 from 68,238 in 2010.
McAllister also said that the British High Commission had held events for investors and businesses in India and tried to answer questions on the impact of Brexit. He, however, pointed out that as negotiations with the European Union are still on, final decisions with regard to policy had not yet been decided.
On the question of the extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is facing money laundering charges in India, the Deputy High Commissioner declined to comment noting that “the matter is in court.”
Highlighting the importance of the Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru, McAllister said, “It’s not just about international or trade partnerships, but covers political, cultural, sport and educational relations.” He also said it was important for the UK’s diplomatic mission to get “a view from the south” and one that is “not Delhi centric.”