LONDON, June 6: Britain has decided to tighten the immigration law to restrict immigration from "new Commonwealth" countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

A decision in this regard was taken at a recent meeting presided over by Tony Blair. The meeting, convened for an immigration "stock taking", noted a "dramatic" rise in applications to come to Britain from "New Commonwealth" countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. "Old Commonwealth" countries are Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Blair, according to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, agreed to a clampdown to prevent "abuse from the New Commonwealth countries". An announcement should be made within weeks, the Prime Minister ordered. -PPI