'People to people contact strengthens ties between India and UK': MEA

New Delhi, Nov.5 (ANI): Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday expressed India's happiness over British Government's decision to abandon its pilot 3000 pound bond scheme, and said that people to people contact provides strength and durability to the long standing and friendly ties between India and United Kingdom.

"Our views on this matter had been conveyed previously to the UK, both at the political level by Anand Sharma when he visited UK in June and subsequently at the India-UK comprehensive dialogue on visa related issues in July," he said.

"We are happy to learn that the UK Government has taken on board our concerns as well as concerns expressed by others on this matter. India and UK have a strategic partnership, and people-to people contact provides strength and durability to our longstanding, warm, friendly ties with the UK," he added.

The British Government has decided not to go ahead with its pilot 3000-pound visa bond scheme for tourists from six countries, including India.

"The UK government remains committed to tackling immigration abuse and has been looking at a range of options. One of those options was a financial bond. The British Government has now decided not to proceed with the option of a financial bond," a spokesperson for the British Home Office said here on November 3.

"The Government has been considering whether we pilot a bond scheme that would deter people from overstaying the visa. We have decided not to proceed," he added.

The UK Government had labelled India as one of the high-risk countries, and had proposed to introduce the controversial 3,000-pound visa bond scheme before arrival in the country, which would have been forfeited if the visitor failed to make the return trip.

The plan involved issuing hefty refundable financial bonds to "tightly targeted" tourists.

The six countries initially shortlisted for the pilot included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana.

The scheme is part of a series of measures being used by the Conservative-led British government to cut illegal immigration into the country. (ANI)