New Delhi:
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, India has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the US on the issue of irregular migration. During a recent visit to Washington DC, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified India’s stance on the return of its citizens living illegally in the United States.
Jaishankar, who attended Trump’s inauguration and held bilateral meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized that India is open to the “legitimate return” of its undocumented citizens. This position was reiterated during a press briefing on Wednesday, where Jaishankar stated, “As a government, we are very much supportive of legal mobility because we believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. However, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and migration.”
Jaishankar explained that illegal activities often accompany illegal migration, which is not beneficial reputationally. He underscored, “If there are any of our citizens who are not there legally, and we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. This is not a position unique to the US.”
The discussions between Jaishankar and Rubio came amid reports that India is preparing to take back approximately 18,000 Indian nationals living illegally in the US. However, Jaishankar cautioned against relying on this figure, noting that India needs to verify the identities of these individuals before proceeding with any deportation.
Trump’s administration has been keen on addressing irregular migration, a key issue during his election campaign. The US has identified a significant number of Indian migrants who could be deported, although the exact number is still under verification. This move is seen as an effort by India to align with Trump’s policies and avoid potential trade conflicts, given the importance of maintaining strong India-US relations.
India’s cooperation on this issue is also linked to its desire to protect legal immigration channels, particularly the H-1B visa program, which is crucial for Indian skilled workers. Indian citizens received about 78% of the H-1B visas issued by the US in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that both countries are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration, aiming to create more avenues for legal migration from India to the US. This collaborative approach reflects the mutual interest in facilitating legal mobility and strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and the US.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
