The UK's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has joined forces with Italian leader Giorgia Meloni to tackle the issue of illegal immigration. The duo held discussions during what has been dubbed the "Aperol Spritz Summit" and agreed to push for a more stringent approach across Europe. The move comes as signs emerge that the EU may consider adopting similar deportation policies to those employed by Rwanda.
A Leading Example
During a meeting in New Delhi, Sunak highlighted Britain's success with its own Rwanda deal. He stated that the global issue of illegal migration requires radical and effective solutions, and believes that the UK is showing leadership in this regard. The Prime Minister expressed his intention to be tough, yet fair, and asserted that other nations will subsequently follow suit.
Working Together to Tackle a Shared Challenge
Commenting on the meeting with Meloni, Sunak revealed that they both emphasized the importance of collaboration in order to effectively address the issue at hand. Acknowledging that further discussions will inevitably take place, he emphasized that both leaders are committed to taking action to get a grip on the crisis.
EU Echoes Calls for a Rwanda-Style Deal
Several EU countries, including Greece, Denmark, and Austria, have recently called for the implementation of a Rwanda-style agreement within the bloc. The success of the UK's groundbreaking deal to send illegal migrants to Rwanda will be determined by the final ruling from the Supreme Court, expected later this year.
Channel Crossings and Indian Migrants
The Home Office has reported a surge in illegal crossings via small boats, with 2,188 migrants crossing the English Channel in the past seven days alone. Furthermore, figures show that in the first quarter of this year, Indians were the second largest nationality to make these crossings. As a person of Indian descent, Sunak expressed his desire to strengthen the existing returns agreement to facilitate the deportation of illegal Indian migrants.
As discussions continue, Sunak and Meloni are determined to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration head-on, advocating for a tougher approach in order to effectively deal with the crisis.
