New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Wednesday that India has consistently been receptive to the “legitimate return” of undocumented Indian immigrants to their homeland, as reported by the news agency PTI.
Jaishankar further indicated that the government is in the process of verifying the identities of individuals in the United States who may be subject to deportation to India, although a specific number has yet to be established.
“As a government, we are firmly supportive of legal mobility, as we believe in a global workforce. We aspire for Indian talent and skills to have the greatest opportunities on the international stage. Concurrently, we are resolutely opposed to illegal mobility and migration,” Jaishankar remarked to the press.
The minister emphasized that India has consistently communicated with the United States and other nations that any Indian citizen residing illegally is welcome to return to their home country through legitimate channels.
He also noted that illegal immigration is often associated with other unlawful activities that can tarnish the nation’s reputation. Previously, it was reported that India was collaborating with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate the deportation of 180,000 Indians in the U.S. who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas.
“This stance is not exclusive to the United States. I recognize that there is currently a debate and a resulting sensitivity surrounding this issue, but we have maintained a consistent and principled position, which remains unchanged. I communicated this clearly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” Jaishankar stated regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Jaishankar added that during discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he highlighted the mutual interest of both nations in finding solutions that would legally facilitate mobility.
If a waiting period of approximately 400 days is required to obtain a visa, I believe that such a delay does not benefit the relationship. He (Rubio) also emphasized this point.
