Framing a tax on students as a migration control is a misguided move that punishes one of Britain’s greatest assets, writes Virenda Sharma MP

It was encouraging to see a British Prime Minister once again fly to India with a delegation of business leaders – seeking to strengthen trade and investment between our two nations. Over the years, such visits have almost become a rite of passage for British leaders eager to deepen ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

This time, though, Sir Keir Starmer’s visit carries more substance. The recent conclusion of a formal trade deal with Delhi provides a solid foundation for optimism. With global trade patterns shifting and some major partners becoming less predictable – as we’ve seen with the US’s recent tariffs – India’s openness to partnership offers a real opportunity for the UK to build something lasting and mutually beneficial.

That’s why it’s so disappointing that this positive momentum risks being overshadowed by a new policy that sends quite the opposite message – particularly to young Indians aspiring to study in Britain.

A tax on........

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