Asian appearance could mean anything, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Caucasian, Gherka and so on. I don't understand why the Brits would be so afraid to fly with a couple Gherkas? I thought they were some of the best and most loyal British soldiers.
They're not Gurkhas. 'Asian' in context, is Britspeak for 'Middle Eastern'.
In general Arab looking people are refered to as Asians in the UK. My husband had cousins who live there. You can bet they were middle Eastern in appearance.