India-UK Agree To Negotiate Mutual Recognition Agreements After Implementing The Trade Deal

India and the UK agreed to negotiate mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) after implementing the trade deal, according to an official. These pacts were important for facilitating the movement of professionals such as nurses, accountants and architects to Britain.

Commerce Ministry Official's Statement

"It has been agreed that both countries will engage on mutual recognition of qualifications because in certain professional services, recognition of qualifications is an essential requirement like nurses, architects, accountants, and dentists. Within a period of 36 months, we will try to enter intoAs with the UK," a commerce ministry official said.

On Thursday, a trade agreement was signed, and it may take about a year for its implementation as it requires approval of the British parliament.

Between the competent authorities of respective nations, MRAs in professional services are voluntary pacts. These confer recognition of certain licensing or qualification requirements obtained in the jurisdiction of other countries. Such requirements include those regarding education, training, certification, accreditation and professional experience.

Mobility Regime For Indian Professionals

Under the trade pact, the UK has also provided an assured mobility regime for various categories of Indian professionals such as business visitors for all sectors (90 days in any 6 months); intra-corporate transferees for all sectors including spouses and dependent (three years); investors (1 year); contractual service suppliers (12 months in any 24 months); and independent professionals (12 months in any 24 months).

According to Business Standard, India enjoys a trade surplus of around $6.6 billion with the UK. India's services exports stood at $19.8 billion, while imports were $13.2 billion.

Indian Intra-Corporate Transferees

In the IT sector, about 60,000 Indian intra-corporate transferees are working at present in the UK and "for that the UK has committed that they will provide a visa for three years not only for workers but also for their partners and dependents," the official said.