British minister supports UK border agency's tight security norms

New Delhi, July 29 (ANI): Defending UK border agency's security norms, the visiting British Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts said here on Thursday that tight security was meant to ensure that Indian students will not get exploited in the United Kingdom.

Talking about the strict visa rules for overseas students, as recently UKBA (UK border agency) amended immigration rules for minimum levels of English for different types of courses allowed under the Tier 4 visa scheme, Willetts defended and approved of stricter language rules. He said: "It would save the Indian students from getting exploited."

"We do want to ensure that Indian students themselves are not exploited by thinking that they are getting into proper British University and finding instead that they are not getting a full university experience," he said.

"But we do welcome seeing more students from India and we are committed to it," he added.

Willetts said the U.K. values the opportunities Indian students have of coming and studying in Britain.

"We value the opportunities Indian students have to come and study in Britain. We want the brightest and best from India having access to British universities," said Willetts.

Talking about the significance of student exchange programme for the benefit of students of both the countries, he said: "Similarly I am very keen to get more students from Britain benefiting from studies in India."

Asked about the vision of Prime Minister David Cameron with respect to Indian education, Willett said: "he looks forward to British and Indian researchers to work together." By Sandhya Sharma (ANI)