U.K. Minister discussed border security with Indian officials in April

Discussion on U.K. immigration Bill, tighter visa norms, and Indian migrants' return during U.K.-India Home Affairs meeting.

While the U.K. Parliament is discussing a new Bill on immigration and border security, and enforcing tighter visa norms, Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State (Home Office), the U.K., met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan in April this year.

In the April 15 meeting, which was not publicised by either government, they are said to have discussed, among other things, faster verification and return of Indian migrants detained in the U.K. for illegal stay or entry, and action against criminal gangs.

According to the U.K. Home Office’s data, from 2020-2025 (till March 31), as many as 2,471 Indians crossed the English Channel to arrive on small boats in the U.K.

From January 1-March 31 this year, as many as 86 Indians were apprehended by the British authorities while entering the country on small boats without proper documentation.

The U.K Home Office said that, in the past one year, there had been a 45% increase in Indian nationals detained by the immigration authorities, including people who were to be returned.

From April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025, there were “enforced returns” of at least 816 Indians; 1,500 Indians were denied entry at U.K ports; and 12,291 people returned voluntarily, U.K Home office data show.

“The U.K. and India have a close relationship on Home Affairs, as two democracies that respect and uphold the rule of law. The U.K’s Minister of State at the Home Office, Dame Angela Eagle, travelled to Delhi and Chennai in April to discuss the breadth of the U.K.-India Home Affairs partnership,” a spokesperson of the British High Commission said, when asked about the contours of the meeting.