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March 17, 2008 15:14 IST
Britain's new points-based immigration system may become a 'retrograde step' as it prevents India and other developing countries from exporting information technology systems and personnels to the country, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath has said.
"The new regime can make it harder for software and other IT executives to travel back and forth between India and the UK, imperiling their ability to fulfill service contracts," Nath told the Financial Times.
"We are not asking for more permanent immigration. We are talking about people coming in for a month or so to integrate software systems," he said.
He pointed out that Indian software companies that could send executives or technical experts into the UK for short periods would be unable to service warranties or sell new systems that would require on-the-spot maintenance in the future.
Noting that New Delhi was still studying the new system, Nath said the new system risked becoming a 'retrograde step'.
Under the old immigration regime, there was special provision for the temporary movement of workers to fulfill commitments under international trade deals.
Such liberalisation is one of India's key demands in international trade talks, such as the bilateral deal it is negotiating with the European Union.
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