The UK government is widening its campaign against visa fraud in India, launching a second phase in Tamil Nadu after what ministers describe as a successful pilot in Punjab.

Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra unveiled the expansion during a visit to India this week, calling it a key step in efforts to curb illegal migration “at its source.” The initiative will focus on high-risk districts and introduce a Tamil-language WhatsApp chatbot designed to help people spot fraudulent agents and verify legitimate visa information.

The move comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares a sweeping overhaul of the UK asylum system aimed at curbing abuse and targeting criminal networks involved in trafficking vulnerable migrants. Officials say the India-focused campaign complements these domestic measures by preventing people from travelling on forged documents before they reach UK borders.

The outreach drive also reflects growing cooperation between London and New Delhi. It builds on the UK–India Vision 2035 framework, which includes joint commitments to combat exploitation and reduce irregular migration.

Malhotra’s visit is also centred on trade ties, following the signing of a landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement earlier this year. The deal is forecast to boost the UK economy by £4.8 billion annually, raise wages by £2.2 billion and grow bilateral trade by more than £25 billion.

During her trip, the minister will meet British companies operating in Chennai and Bengaluru — including Tesco, Revolut and BT — to hear how the agreement is shaping their expansion plans and encouraging investment back into the UK.

“The government is acting to stem the flow of illegal migration at its source,” Malhotra said, adding that the trade deal will “create thousands of jobs” and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

After concluding her India meetings, Malhotra will travel to the Maldives, where the UK is supporting climate resilience projects. Her itinerary includes a visit to a UK-backed mangrove conservation initiative in Huraa, as well as talks with senior Maldivian ministers on clean energy, maritime security and counterterrorism, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Photo by Krokodyl, Wikimedia commons.