Women from an Asian Muslim background should be offered childcare subsidies to help them tackle workplace discrimination, according to the chair of the Muslim Women’s Network. Shaista Gohir was responding to a Social Mobility Commission report which analysed school performance and career prospects along ethnic, gender and socioeconomic lines. It found that British Asian students, particularly Bangladeshi and Pakistani girls, are more likely than ever to succeed in school. However, this success is not translating into opportunity as they enter the labour market. Alan Milburn, chair of the commission, described its findings as a “broken mobility promise” for Asian Muslims, particularly women. “If you’re in a low-paying job, you likely can’t afford to pay high nursery fees and go to work, as this may not even cover the cost of childcare. It would be better just to stay at home,” Gohir said. “There are certain things that employers and governments could do, such as introducing more subsidies for childcare, which would help more women and more Muslim women go to work.” Along with flexible working hours for mothers, Gohir believes affordable childcare would provide Muslim women and females in general with more of an opportunity to pursue a career. The study, which was released last month, found that academic performance for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students has improved at a more rapid rate than any other ethnic group over the past decade. This high rate of academic success transcends socio-economic status, with nearly half of Bangladeshi and over a third of Pakistani students among the poorest 20 per cent progressing to university. This success is not reflected in wages, as Bangladeshi and Pakistani women still earn less than their counterparts from other ethnic groups and are less likely to hold managerial or professional occupations than their male counterparts, despite achieving greater qualifications in school. The report also found that Bangladeshi women are over-represented in clerical and secretarial jobs. The research presents several explanations for both rising academic performance and stagnant levels of opportunity outside of school. It states that discrimination in the workplace puts certain groups at a distinct disadvantage, referring to previous research that shows ethnic discrimination affects women disproportionately. Muslim women, particularly those who express their faith or culture outwardly by wearing the hijab, for example, experience a greater degree of discrimination than other groups. Gohir said that although workplace discrimination is a common problem for many of the women she speaks to, including those in highly skilled roles such as lawyers, the reluctance of many to come forward with complaints makes it difficult to measure the extent of the problem. “A lot of people don’t complain because they are scared of losing their job or losing promotion prospects, even if that is the issue they want to complain about,” she said. “They are also worried about not being able to get a reference. “If you take a discrimination case to tribunal it often costs a lot of money, so that is a barrier in itself. Everything is stacked against the person wanting to complain.” Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, likened the discrimination faced by these women to the bias faced by all females, particularly ethnic minorities, in the workplace in the past. “During my lifetime, we have made lots of progression for women’s equality,” she said. “Look at the hijab – it’s the age-old argument over what women wear and how we judge women based on what they wear, only now it has shifted to Muslim women. We need to have those debates and conversations in order to raise awareness and we need to be clear about who is affected by discrimination. “The government needs to listen to women and their concerns, and also talk to employers and engage them about diversity and the benefits of diversity.” Parental and family influence also plays a major role in both academic performance and career opportunities, according to the analysis. The report found that while parental expectations regarding school performance are typically higher among families that enjoy a higher socioeconomic status, the same was true among lower status families of certain ethnicities as well, such as Asians. Asian and ethnically mixed students were also found to be more likely than other groups to have parents with higher levels of engagement with their education. For parents born overseas, the level of expectation and involvement they place in their children’s academic performance tended to fall in line with the status they enjoyed in their home country, rather than their current status in the UK. Pakistani and Bangladeshi women, however, were under more pressure to marry and have children, rather than pursue a career, than other groups. Bangladeshi women are also less likely to migrate internally than any other group, opting to stay in the same area as their parents even after marriage, which negatively affected their career opportunities. Shah left school at the age of 12 but later went on to build a successful career as an NHS commissioner and chair of a mental health charity. She said that while this [pressure to marry and have children] may be true in some parts of the community, the majority have shifted their views to be more supportive of women pursuing a career, citing the increasing number of Asian Muslim women attending universities. “It’s no different to when we made it illegal to ask a woman her age under the age discrimination and gender discrimination acts… The difference with a woman wearing a hijab is that it is very visible. Regardless of whether or not she is of childbearing age, the discrimination is very visible and in your face,” Shah said. “From a government perspective, we need to tackle this head-on and actually do more engagement, and not apply the one-size-fits-all approach, which is what the government tends to do at times.” The report recommends that schools, universities and employers should provide “carefully targeted support” to ensure Muslim women are able to achieve their career ambitions and progress in the workplace once they leave the world of academia. How this support is provided, however, varies between schools, according to Bart Shaw, lead author of the report. Shaw said: “There’s not just one default way for schools to provide this kind of support. “Schools are often mindful of the particular demographic breakdown of their schools and recognise that there may be problems for girls of certain ethnicities, though many may not. “The report is encouraging people to think in those terms and consider the particular issues around access to the labour market that affect their students.” The Department for Education (DfE) responded with their plans to increase social mobility for disadvantaged students, though were unable to offer any solutions specifically addressing young Asian Muslim women. “We are working to make more good school places available, in more parts of the country, so that every child can have access to an education that will unlock their potential,” a DfE spokesperson said.
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Indian immigrants who allegedly illegally migrated to US arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, in Ahmedabad. (ANI Photo)
Another round of Indian deportees from US to arrive in Amritsar
Feb 15, 2025
A US military transport aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, is set to land at Amritsar International Airport on Saturday (15) night, carrying around 119 Indian nationals.
This movement follows the earlier deportation of 104 individuals, marking another phase in the US government's intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Deportations are expected to continue every other week until all illegal immigrants are returned to their home countries, according to official sources.
The deportees are said to include 67 individuals from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Their removal is part of an ongoing crackdown by US immigration authorities on individuals who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
The deportations come on the heels of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, where he met president Donald Trump to discuss key bilateral issues, including immigration. During a joint press conference, Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to repatriating verified Indian nationals while stressing the need to combat human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable migrants.
The treatment of deported Indians, who arrived in handcuffs and shackles, sparked significant controversy in India. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defends the treatment as a standard security protocol used on deportation flights to prevent escape attempts or disruptions.
Critics, however, argue that the practice is excessive and inhumane, particularly for individuals who have committed no crimes beyond immigration violations.
The issue led to heated debates in the Indian Parliament, with opposition leaders demanding a formal inquiry into the deportation process and the treatment of returnees.
In response to growing concerns, external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has assured that India is engaging with US officials to ensure that deportees are treated with dignity. He stressed that while immigration laws must be upheld, humane treatment should not be compromised.
The Trump administration's strict immigration policies continue to affect thousands of Indian nationals, placing pressure on the Indian government to manage reintegration efforts while addressing the broader challenge of irregular migration.
In the US, ICE oversees deportations, coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while in India, returnees are processed by the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the Bureau of Immigration, and local authorities.
With more deportations expected in the coming months, immigration enforcement remains a key issue between India and the US, as both nations navigate the complexities of border control, human rights, and diplomatic cooperation.
The deportations underscore the broader challenge of irregular migration from India to the US. Economic hardships, limited employment opportunities, and the appeal of better prospects abroad continue to drive many Indians to seek unauthorised entry into the US.
The Indian government now faces the task of reintegrating returnees, many of whom have spent years abroad and may struggle to rebuild their lives back home. As the US tightens its immigration policies, the Indian government is under increasing pressure to curb illegal migration through stronger border management and diplomatic negotiations.
Meanwhile, human rights groups and advocacy organisations continue to push for fairer treatment of deportees, highlighting the balance between border control and humane enforcement.
(PTI)
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Trump plans to meet Starmer 'very soon'
Feb 15, 2025
US president Donald Trump said he had agreed to meet prime minister Keir Starmer and that the British leader wanted to travel to the US in the coming weeks.
Starmer's office had said earlier on Friday (14) that he discussed visiting the US on a call with Trump the day before, part of London's efforts to press its case with a US president whose overhaul of trade and foreign policy has shaken much of the world.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Starmer had requested to meet him again in person.
"We're going to have it - friendly meeting - very good. We have a lot of good things going on," the president said.
The two leaders first met in September in New York.
Starmer took a call from Trump on Thursday (13) as he met the president's envoy in London, Mark Burnett. His Downing Street office said the two men discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.
Trump said the meeting would take place "very soon", adding: "I think he wants to come next week or the week after."
British prime ministers are always keen to visit incoming US presidents as soon as possible, believing that their countries have a "special relationship".
Since returning to power, Trump has sent shockwaves through global capitals by threatening or imposing sweeping tariffs, and by speaking directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin about an end to the war in Ukraine.
Britain has so far been spared the worst of Trump's anger. Trump has heavily criticised the European Union's trade surplus with the US but said this month he thought something could be "worked out" with Britain.
Tensions could still develop over Washington's approach to Ukraine. Starmer said on Friday that Britain remained committed to Ukraine being on "an irreversible path to NATO" after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that NATO membership for Kyiv would not be part of a peace deal.
And Britain wants Kyiv, trying to resist Russian invasion, at the heart of any ceasefire talks.
Starmer has also been walking a diplomatic tightrope as he seeks a "reset" in relations with the EU, which Britain quit five years ago, just as Trump threatens the bloc with tariffs.
Another area of possible contention is defence, where Trump has urged NATO's European members to spend much more.
(Reuters)
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McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)
Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India
Feb 14, 2025
A COURT in India has found Vikat Bhagat guilty of the rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.
McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017.
A post-mortem examination confirmed brain damage and strangulation as the cause of death. The verdict was delivered by the District and Sessions Court in South Goa on Friday, the BBC reported.
Bhagat could face life imprisonment, but prosecutors have requested the death penalty. His sentencing is scheduled for Monday.
McLaughlin’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, and sister, Joleen McLaughlin Brannigan, said justice "has finally been achieved."
They stated that Bhagat was solely responsible for her death, adding that they had endured an eight-year trial with delays and difficulties.
The family said they remained patient and respectful of the Indian legal system and expressed hope that McLaughlin can now rest in peace. They recently visited the area where she spent her last days, the BBC reported.
McLaughlin, who held dual Irish and British citizenship, travelled to India in February 2017 and had been in the country for two weeks before her death.
She had been staying in a beach hut with an Australian friend and had attended Holi celebrations in a nearby village. Her body was discovered the next day by a local farmer.
Tánaiste Simon Harris praised McLaughlin’s family for their resilience, saying he hoped the verdict would bring them some closure.
Her body was repatriated to Donegal with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. She is buried in Buncrana, her hometown.
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King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed.'
Lord Mayor of London to visit India for trade talks
Feb 14, 2025
THE LORD MAYOR of London, Alderman Alastair King, is set to visit India for a week starting Saturday, aiming to promote free trade and capital flows between the two countries.
King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, “Growth Unleashed.”
During his visit, King will meet British government trade officials and key Indian banking and financial institutions, including HDFC, State Bank of India (SBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
He emphasised the need for British businesses to engage with high-growth markets like India.
“The theme ‘Growth Unleashed’ is to encourage British businesses to get out to extraordinary growth markets such as India, bang on doors and build their businesses,” King told PTI ahead of his visit.
The trip comes ahead of UK Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ proposed visit to India later this month to formally relaunch negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was stalled due to elections in both countries.
“I think the timing is very good. There was a bit of a lull in relation to pushing forward for the Free Trade Agreement, and I'm very pleased to see that Minister Reynolds is off to India as well,” King said.
“We can [meanwhile] talk about the opportunities to people involved in financial, professional, legal and maritime services that the Free Trade Agreement will present.”
King highlighted the India-UK trading relationship, which is valued at an estimated GBP 41 billion a year. He said this relationship is particularly important given ongoing global trade uncertainties.
“It makes it especially important that we are showing our commitment to increasing trade, and there are some extraordinary opportunities that can be devised between the United Kingdom and India,” he said.
“Looking particularly at things like investment into infrastructure, financial services and legal services – all these are remarkable areas of growth.”
The City of London Corporation is also looking to attract more Indian companies to invest in the UK, leveraging London’s financial services.
“Already many Indians see London as their second home, and I do sense it's a continuing and growing relationship,” King said.
Having worked in Mumbai’s infrastructure sector in the past, he noted India's long-term growth potential.
“We had a business that was specialising in investing particularly in the container trade area. That's a great story for the next 25 years as India becomes more integrated into world trade and the facilities grow,” he said.
As part of his visit, King will discuss financial services as a key growth area for both economies. His meetings will focus on easing trade mechanisms, including investment protection and business mobility.
“We have 678,000 people who work in the Square Mile of the City of London, and one of the reasons why we're the number one international financial centre in the world is that we have such an enormous skilled and talented workforce,” he said.
“We need to attract the brightest and the best to come here and work, and that includes the brightest and best from India.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports. (Photo: Getty Images)
Modi and Trump agree to resolve trade disputes, discuss tariff concerns
Feb 14, 2025
INDIA and the US have agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving trade and tariff disputes, following talks between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump in Washington.
India has committed to increasing purchases of US oil, gas, and defence equipment, while both sides pledged to address trade barriers.
The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports.
“Prime minister Modi recently announced the reductions to India’s unfair, very strong tariffs that limit US access to the Indian market, very strongly,” Trump said. “And really it’s a big problem, I must say.”
India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the trade concerns could be resolved within seven months.
A joint statement released after the meeting noted that the US welcomed India’s recent steps to lower tariffs on selected US goods and expand market access for US agricultural products. Talks are set to take place to negotiate parts of a trade deal by autumn 2025.
Both leaders had differing perspectives on tariffs, but Misri said they had found a way forward. “What is more remarkable… is the fact that we have a way forward on this issue,” he said.
India has also expressed interest in expanding its defence and energy trade with the US. Trump said India could become one of Washington’s largest buyers of oil and gas and increase defence purchases “by billions of dollars.” Modi said India aims to double bilateral trade by 2030.
The leaders also discussed nuclear energy cooperation, though legal challenges remain.
Trump said the US is working to provide India with F-35 stealth fighters, but Misri later clarified that discussions were still at the proposal stage, with no formal process underway.
The White House did not comment on the potential deal.
Tariff concerns remain
Trump, who had a strong relationship with Modi during his first term, reiterated his concerns over India’s tariffs, calling them “very high.” He said the US would impose reciprocal tariffs.
“We are being reciprocal with India,” Trump said. “Whatever India charges, we charge them.”
Modi, in response, said he would prioritise India’s interests.
“One thing that I deeply appreciate, and I learn from president Trump, is that he keeps the national interest supreme,” Modi said. “Like him, I also keep the national interest of India at the top of everything else.”
Both leaders also agreed to strengthen security ties in the Indo-Pacific region and collaborate on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Before the talks, a source described India’s recent tariff reductions as a goodwill gesture aimed at easing tensions. A US official said Trump sees increased defence and energy sales to India as a way to reduce the trade deficit.
India’s energy purchases from the US could rise to £19.8 billion from £11.9 bn last year, Misri said, adding that this could help narrow the trade deficit. The US currently has a £36.2 bn trade deficit with India.
Richard Rossow, head of the India programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said tariffs would remain a contentious issue.
“It’s going to be a boxing match,” he said. “India is willing to take a few hits, but there’s a limit.”
Cooperation on immigration and China strategy
The US and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation on illegal immigration and human trafficking. India is a significant source of immigrants to the US, including skilled workers on visas and individuals living in the country without legal status.
The agreement is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to counter China. India shares concerns over China’s growing military presence and economic influence.
Modi also expressed concerns about a potential US-China trade deal that could sideline India, according to Mukesh Aghi, president of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.
India has continued to maintain ties with Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Western countries have reduced their reliance on Russian energy, India remains a major buyer.
“The world had this thinking that India somehow is a neutral country in this whole process,” Modi said. “But this is not true. India has a side, and that side is of peace.”
US approves extradition of Tahawwur Rana
The US has also approved the extradition of a suspect in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in which over 160 people were killed, Trump said on Thursday in a press conference.
Trump did not name the individual in the press conference but a joint statement from the two sides later identified the man as Pakistani-origin Chicago businessman and Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana.
The three-day attacks on hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre in which 166 people were killed began on November 26, 2008. India says Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba orchestrated the attacks. Pakistan's government denies being involved.
(With inputs from agencies)
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