What is Britain expecting from the high-level visits to India?
I don’t think anything of significance is going to happen. Far too high expectations have been built up by the Brexit people that they can build some kind of new relationship outside Europe. The idea that Britain can construct some special new trade deal with India is just dangerous nonsense.
Major political changes could happen in Europe. How will it impact Britain?
I don’t know what will happen in France and Germany, none of us do. But the Europeans have, to some extent, stabilised the extreme right. Germany is the most stable and I would be surprised if they shift significantly.
Is the British economy strong enough to withstand the challenges ahead?
Most people believe that Brexit is going to be a lose-lose situation for both. Britain is putting up trade barriers against itself which is an unusual situation. I don’t believe this is an Armageddon, but it will be significantly negative as the British economy is not as strong as we claim. Productivity is weak and there is shortfall in training.
Is the immigration issue being blown out of proportion?
The situation will not get worse. But it was a major factor in the Brexit referendum. It is interesting that a lot of people on the Brexit side are now trying to play down the reduction in immigration. The pre-Brexit immigration policy was not sustainable. There was a lot of control on immigrants from outside the EU, including India, and unrestricted access for EU citizens. A lot of people, including those of Indian origin, feel this is not fair or sensible. There will be pressure to assure people that immigration will be managed, and if managed responsibly, we can have an immigration policy that is non-discriminatory and economically sensible. I don’t get any sense of Indians being more insecure than before.
