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India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Demand for Sikh regiment in British Army peaks, minister says open to idea
Following calls for a dedicated Sikh regiment in the British Army, comprising members of the community in the UK, the Keir Starmer-led government has said that it's open to the idea. Earlier this month, Labour peer Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota raised the issue in the House of Lords, citing the loyalty and courage of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars, The UK Defence Journal Defence Minister Vernon Rodney Coaker expressed his willingness to discuss the matter with the Sikh in July, Sahota, in the House of Lords, asked about progress on long-standing calls for such a unit in the British responded that he was open to discussions, saying, "I am quite happy to meet him (Sahota) to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs, and those of many other faiths as well".Notably, according to The Royal Logistic Corps Association, there were 130 Sikh soldiers in the British Army and another 70 serving across defence forces in 2019. However, media reports estimate that the number of Sikh soldiers in the British Army to have risen to around 160 in Minister Coaker, in the first week of July, pointed to the Victory over Japan Day commemorations on August 15, as a moment to reflect on the global wartime sacrifices of the British forces. "Not least among that were the Sikhs of the world, who played a valiant part," the UK Defence Journal quoted him as no firm commitment was made, the conversation signals fresh momentum to acknowledge Sikh military history in the British Armed A NEW IDEA TO HAVE SIKH REGIMENT IN THE BRITISH ARMYThis isn't a new 2015, Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois told the House of Commons that General Nicholas Carter, then-Chief of the General Staff, was reviewing the feasibility of a Sikh unit, possibly a reserve Defence Minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged the government to "do away with political correctness" and establish the regiment, praising the "extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations".Francois had in 2015 noted the proposal's merits, saying it was raised by several MPs and was under consideration. The discussions emphasised carrying forward the traditions of Sikh regiments from the British Indian Army, though no action ASSOCIATED WITH BRITISH ARMY SINCE MID-19TH CENTURYSikhs have served in the British military since the 1840s, after the annexation of the Sikh Empire in British colonisers, to bolster their grip, categorised military regiments in the British Indian Army by caste, religion, and region, designating Sikhs, Gurkhas, Jats, Rajputs, Nagas, and many others as "martial races" that were suited for recruited heavily from Punjab after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, as the community was deemed divisive strategy prioritised military utility over the cultural depth of the Sikhs transformed this imposed label into a legacy of the late 19th century, Sikhs were a cornerstone of the British Indian Army, serving in regiments like the Sikh Regiment and Punjab per the UK Defence Journal, in World War I, over 1,00,000 Sikhs fought in France, East Africa, Mesopotamia, and Gallipoli, earning Victoria Crosses in battles like Neuve were less than 2% of British India's population but 20% of its World War II, 3,00,000 Sikhs served in North Africa, Italy, and Southeast Asia, their impact huge in combat and support roles, the journal also India's Independence, the Sikhs became a part of the Indian Army, though some still serve in the UK LEGACY CAN LINK COLONIAL TIES TO MODERN BRITAINA Sikh regiment would be similar to the Brigade of Gurkhas, which recruits from Nepal and Indian Nepali-speaking communities, linking colonial ties with today's British Army.A Sikh regiment could do the same for Britain as the Gurkha Regiment has, boosting diversity in the British 2015 push did not yield results, but Coaker's openness a decade later could signal a shift in the British Army.- Ends advertisement
Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
India-UK trade deal to be signed today: Navigating protectionism, political turmoil, and shadow of Trump's tariffs
India and the UK are poised to sign the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today — a pact that was years in the making, driven by mutual concerns over China, and finalised amidst a rapidly evolving US trade policy that has compelled nations worldwide to secure access to new markets. The India-UK deal is significant as it would be the most comprehensive free trade agreements for India to have entered into so far and is going to be closely watched as a template for other upcoming major trade deals such as the agreement with the European Union. The India-UK deal will also mark the beginning of integration between the advanced services sector in the UK and that of India along with opening doors for high-end British cars and whisky into India, albeit in a phased manner. India and the UK (then part of the EU) began exploring the possibility of a trade deal back in 2007. However, Europe's demands for access to India's key job-generating sectors, such as automobiles and agriculture, were too steep for the government to build a consensus within the country, leading to the talks' failure. After deciding to withdraw from negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) — a mega trade deal involving China, the ASEAN region, Australia, and New Zealand — over concerns of a surge in Chinese imports in 2019, India began looking to the lucrative West for deeper economic integration. Post-2019, when India adopted a decisive approach towards a free trade agreement with the UK, a political crisis in London played spoilsport, beginning with Brexit in 2016. While negotiations continued under three different British Prime Ministers from 2022 to 2025, several deadlines were missed, including the Diwali deadline set by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The deal only materialised after the Keir Starmer-led Labour Party won a landslide victory in May 2025. Another political push towards global deals was the election of US President Donald Trump. It incentivised countries to swiftly secure new markets, bringing the UK and India even closer to find certainty in a world that seems to be moving towards trade turmoil. The India-UK deal will help integration of the advanced services sector between the two nations. It will also enable access for high-end British cars and whisky into India in a phased manner. The India–UK FTA is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for goods across all sectors, covering all of India's export interests. India will benefit from tariff elimination on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of trade value — offering opportunities to boost bilateral trade between India and the UK, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The pact includes chapters on goods, services, innovation, government procurement, and intellectual property rights. The two countries have also concluded negotiations on the Double Contribution Convention Agreement, or social security pact, which would help avoid double contributions to social security funds by Indian professionals working for a limited period in Britain. However, talks on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) are still ongoing. Government officials have pointed out that the India–UK trade deal is also significant as it is one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements that India has entered into so far and could serve as a template for future engagements, including the multiple trade deals currently under negotiation — such as the complex agreement with the European Union. The Ministry stated that the UK FTA will ease mobility for professionals, including contractual service suppliers; business visitors; investors; intra-corporate transferees; partners and dependent children of intra-corporate transferees with the right to work; and independent professionals such as yoga instructors, musicians, and chefs. India's exports to the UK rose by 12.6 per cent to $14.5 billion, while imports grew by 2.3 per cent to $8.6 billion in 2024–25. Bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to $21.34 billion in 2023–24 from $20.36 billion in 2022–23. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Over 100 arrested across UK amid protests in support of banned group Palestine Action
Over 100 people have been arrested across the United Kingdom for protesting against the government's decision to label Palestine Action as a terror group. Demonstrations in support of the pro-Palestine group were held in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro as part of a campaign led by Defend Our Juries. According to the Metropolitan police, at least 55 people were held on suspicion of terrorism offences, under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after they displayed placards supporting Palestine Action. The demonstration has been termed as the largest in Westminster. With placards which read 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,' supporters of the banned Palestine Action group were surrounded at London's Parliament Square beside the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Saturday. Police officers searched the bags of those detained, while some were carried away, a few others were handcuffed. Sky: More than 100 people protesting against the ban of Palestine Action have been arrested in towns and cities across the UK. In London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro. The group became a proscribed terrorist organisation two weeks — Defend our Juries (@DefendourJuries) July 19, 2025 Metropolitan police added that nine people were further arrested for supporting Palestine Action group, when a large-scale march was organised to Whitehall by the Palestine Coalition, The Guardian reported. One further arrest was made following the last update bringing the total to 66, the details of which are below. This will be the final post on today's protest updates thread. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 19, 2025 Defending the Palestine Action group, Defend Our Juries in a post on X stated, 'The UK government is complicit in Israel's genocide against Palestinians. They are attempting to silence those who expose this complicity.' The Prime Minister Keir Starmer-led UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terror group under the Terrorism Act of 2000, which made the support or membership of the group a criminal and punishable offence. A report by The Guardian quoted a woman who was detained in Parliament Square and said, 'We demand that Palestine Action is de-proscribed. Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out.' The Israel-Gaza war, which started with militant group Hamas' surprise attack on Tel Aviv in October 2023, doesn't seem to be moving towards a ceasefire as key demands by both the warring factions have not been agreed upon.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
UK: Migrants a political problem, Starmer moots $4 bn-plan to upskill 120,000 British workers
PM Starmer has a two-pronged task ahead of him: to boost the indigenous workforce, all while clamping down on migration. Labour Party has announced that the government will increase its English-speaking requirement for overseas workers which will eventually make it harder for migrants to stay in the country read more The UK government has authorised plans to train over 120,000 builders, engineers and care workers to cut down the country's dependence on foreign labour as the Keir Starmer-led government moves to curb immigration. The administration has allocated $4.1 billion to offer new apprenticeships, according to an official release on Tuesday. A 32 per cent hike in the Immigration Skills Charge, a fee paid by employers who sponsor skilled foreign workers, is expected to fund 45,000 additional training spots in sectors like construction and social care, which rely significantly on migrant labour. The government is also supporting initiatives aimed at adult education. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tuesday's statement said a planned 32 per cent rise in the immigration skills charge, designed to dissuade businesses from hiring foreign workers, would deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to 'upskill the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on migration' in priority sectors. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, 'We're taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment.' Businesses have said they cannot hire enough staff locally, warning that the tougher rules would harm the economy unless they were accompanied by a fundamental overhaul of the country's skills training system. Britain's PM Starmer has a two-pronged task ahead of him: to boost the indigenous workforce, all while clamping down on migration. His Labour Party has recently announced that the government will increase its English-speaking requirement for overseas workers which will eventually make it harder for migrants to stay in the country. A recent analysis by Boston Consulting Group warned that the UK's supply chains could be strained by the $1.2 trillion in public and private infrastructure investment projected by the end of 2029. The report advised expanding the shortage occupations list to ease recruitment of overseas workers and suggested loosening English language requirements for key visa categories. With inputs from agencies
Mint
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
From students to IT engineers, how stricter UK visa rules spell trouble for Indians' immigration plans
In view of the rising net migration in the UK, the Labour Party-led British government released a white paper that outlined its plan to crack down on immigration. This is not good news for Indians aspiring to settle in the UK. A white paper titled 'Restoring Control over the Immigration System' encapsulates the plan of the Keir Starmer-led Labour government to crack down on rising migration. The plan entails a higher threshold for getting work visas, widening the net of English language proficiency to dependents and importantly, stretching the time period for becoming eligible to apply for citizenship. The government statement says that the white paper sets out plans to create an immigration system that promotes growth but is controlled and managed. The white paper mentions that the threshold for skilled worker visas should be raised to the graduate level from the current A-level measure. This will adversely impact the care workers who are hired from overseas. There are expectations that the changes will cut up to 50,000 lower skilled and care workers who are likely to come to the UK in the next year. Migrants will have to wait 10 years to apply to settle in the UK, rather than five years under the current system. This means migrants who come on a work visa to the UK will be eligible to apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) after 10 years instead of the current five. Another rule which has been put in place is the English language requirement across every immigration route into the UK. This is the first time that adult dependents will have to demonstrate some proficiency in English to integrate with the population. Critics have said that this would lead to a split in families when partners or parents fail to qualify for basic English skills. Currently, students are eligible to stay unsponsored on a graduate visa for two years. The white paper recommends reducing this period to 18 months. The graduate visa was reintroduced in 2021 to allow graduates to stay in the UK for 24 months (36 for PhD holders) so that they can look for a job during this period. The white paper mentions that only 30 per cent of surveyed graduate visa holders were employed in professional occupations, whereas others were either unemployed or employed in administrative or secretarial occupations.
