The UK government, led by Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra, is intensifying efforts to reform its immigration system, particularly in response to a surge in asylum claims by international students. During her visit to Chennai, India, Malhotra defended the proposed changes, which include extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years and potentially requiring some migrants to wait up to 20 years for permanent settlement. These measures, affecting an estimated 2.6 million people who arrived in the UK since 2021, aim to curb the abuse of legal migration routes. Malhotra emphasized that the reforms align with global practices to maintain the integrity of immigration systems and public confidence. However, the proposals have faced criticism from some Labour MPs and members of the House of Lords, particularly concerning their impact on sectors like healthcare and social care. Malhotra also highlighted the UK’s commitment to protecting individuals from visa fraud, collaborating with Indian law enforcement to combat cross-border scams. Despite the cooling demand for UK education among Indian students, Malhotra reaffirmed the UK’s welcome to genuine students and noted the benefits of the recently signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which includes plans for UK universities to establish campuses in India.