New Delhi: Stating that India and Britain were aiming for a growing partnership in all spheres, Indian commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma on Wednesday said the Britain's move of demanding a 3,000 pound visa bond from visitors of certain countries including India, would be a "retrograde measure", a "negative step" which should not be taken.

"As far as we are concerned, we have made it abundantly clear that after the successful visit of (British Prime Minister) David Cameron and the clear assurances that have been given, the growing partnership that exists between India and the UK, this would be a retrograde measure and negative step and should not be taken," Sharma said in New Delhi. However, he said India's High Commissioner in UK and the foreign office have not received any confirmation of any such step having being put in place or a proposal cleared by the British cabinet.

This issue was on the agenda when he had met his UK counterpart Vince Cable in London, Sharma said. "I was assured both by Cable as well as Oliver Letwin that no such proposal has come before the Cabinet for consideration and the government of UK will not take any measures considering the strategic and important partnership (with India)... when it comes to movement of professionals, tourists," the minister said. "I will go by the affirmations which were made and assurances that have been given at the highest level of British government, unless and until anything to the contrary is confirmed or approved," the commerce and industry minister said.

Referring to the issue of decline in exports and efforts to give it a big push, Sharma said the government has decided to raise the rate of interest on subsidy scheme for exporters to three per cent and widen the coverage of the scheme to cover more sectors. “The rate of interest subvention from Thursday would be enhanced to 3 per cent from the present two per cent to deepen the benefit,’’ he said.