Modi conveys concern over scraping of 457 visa to Australian PM

Modi conveyed to his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull India's concerns about the impact of the recent decision to abolish a popular work visa used by a majority of Indians.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File |Reuters)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File |Reuters)

NEW DELHI: After maintaining that the changes in Australian visa regulations will have least impact on Indian immigrants,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself conveyed India's concerns to his counterpart PM Malcolm Turnbull. 

Turnbull called up Modi on Tuesday. Interestingly the Australian PM termed his recent visit to India a "success". Barely a week after his India visit,  Turnbull had announced changes in visa policies citing "national interests". 

"Prime Minister Modi expressed concern about the possible impact of the recent changes in Australian regulations for the skilled professionals’ visa programme, " the Ministry of External Affairs said in statement. 

The two Prime Ministers agreed that officials from both sides will" "remain in close touch on the issue".

The India Government had earlier stated that the doing away of 457 visa programme in Australia is to " replace one scheme with another" .  "Senior Australian officials have conveyed to us that the impact of the changes will be negligible on Indian workers, most of whom fall in high skill category," the MEA had said in an earlier statement. 

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