The Conservative Friends of India had an interactive session covering a wide range of issues ranging from the economy, the current pandemic and strengthening UK India bilateral links. It was led by Minister Political from the High Commission of India, Vishwesh Negi, who was in conversation with Rt Hon MP, Sajid Javid. The virtual event had more than 100 live participants.
Immigration & Brexit
A major takeaway from the event was Javid’s thoughts on having easier and cheaper visas processed for Indian nationals to come to the UK. “Now that we have left the EU, from January 1, 2021, we can set our own rules of immigration policy. We now have the freedom. I’m sure a deal can be reached where we can work and use services together,” he said.
Sajid Javid was asked to comment on the Shamima Begum case and tell what he thinks are the chances for her to be allowed back despite the Home Secretary's appeal and the horrendous implications for UK’s security and also the enormous drain on overstretched resources. “If an individual should come back to the UK, it is a national security risk that cannot be fully mitigated. You have to agree with the outcome of the decision and now it looks like, if they appeal and the decision stands. That undermines and defeats the whole purpose in the first place,” he said as he reiterated that the risk she represents cannot be mitigated and the risk will cost millions to monitor someone unless the case is resolved.
Covid-19 pandemic and succession
Speaking his mind on the Coronavirus pandemic, Javid felt that this public health crisis is a ‘public led health crisis’. “Pandemics are something we’re going to live with and handle,” he said. Speaking about the massive economic impact Javid called the Covid-19 pandemic as the “biggest economic shock in our living memory” and the “economy is frozen” according to him. He hailed Chancellor Sunak for introducing some excellent policies. When asked if he’s happy with his successor, he said, “I am happy. I’m proud of him. I can’t think of much that I could have done differently. One of the reasons why Rishi and I go on is so because of the big things he has done - by tackling this crisis economically (with cover loans, furlough scheme), all the right big things.”
He was also asked to react to Labour's criticism of the conservatives handling Covid-19. He said, “Both of my last two roles, people who replaced me are British Asians. It’s good to know, British Asians are doing really well in the separate party.”
Javid believes in a local resilience body. He said, “We didn’t get everything right. No country in the world had a perfect response to this. We’ve been really good and it says a lot about us as a country that intends to do the right thing.”
Indo-China faceoff
Addressing India’s geopolitics with China, Javid admitted that the relationship between India and China was already strained. He said, “What happened in India with the Chinese intervention is sad. No country is going to be left without a changed relationship with the second largest economy in the world,” he added. “It is very worrying! You have two large countries having a huge issue since the 60s. It’s horrible to see, to act deaf to the death of soldiers on the border.” In terms of what the UK can do, he said that we need to be getting on with what we were elected for, he said, “Our mandate is to get Brexit done and to stick to our commitment to readying opportunities.”
When asked what more can Britain do with China, Javid elaborated that the challenges that we face are global, for instance, climate change or the pandemic, “To beat these things we need to find good working relationships with China, the world’s second largest economy,” he said, as he also stated that at some point it will be the biggest economy. “That said, we cannot be blind to issues,” he added.
Touching upon UK’s stance on Huawei, he said, “In terms of our own position I think we have done the right thing in the recent announcement and by listening to professionals and their advice.” According to him, when professionals' advice changes, a sensible government will be willing to learn.
Given most large tech firms are American followed by upcoming Chinese firms, how can Britain remain competitive on a global standpoint as people's habits shift? Javid reacted to this and said, “We have a story to tell in many sectors specially tech where the UK is the root. We are open to talent and we should remain open to talent. We must introduce the ability for students to stay longer in the UK, which was removed wrongly before. We got to be careful with taxation as well.”
Javid was asked about his opinion on the role that young British Asians have in forging India - UK relations. He said, “It is not just about the personal relationship of the leaders but the country too. Naturally, British Indians understand India better than non British Indians. I think bringing that to the table, understanding trade, culture, and diplomatic exchange we see some of the best trade we get between countries, that trade began with British Indians.”
