EAM Jaishankar : India Open to ‘Legitimate Return’ of Undocumented Immigrants

India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has reiterated the country’s openness to the “legitimate return” of undocumented Indian immigrants from the United States amidst President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies. Speaking to PTI, Jaishankar emphasized that India supports legal mobility but is firmly against illegal migration.

The minister highlighted that the Indian government is currently in the process of verifying individuals who might be deported from the US, although no final numbers have been confirmed yet. Jaishankar stressed the importance of maintaining India’s image and reputation, noting that illegal immigration often leads to other illegal activities.

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In his remarks, Jaishankar pointed out, “As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace.” He underscored India’s desire for its citizens to have global opportunities while opposing any form of illegal migration. This stance was communicated during bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where Jaishankar advocated for solutions that would facilitate legal mobility between the two nations.

The minister also touched on the practical issues of visa waiting periods, stating, “If it takes 400-odd days of waiting period to get a visa, I don’t think the relationship is well served by this.” Rubio acknowledged this point, indicating a mutual interest in resolving these bottlenecks.

Jaishankar’s comments come at a time when reports suggest that up to 180,000 Indians in the US could face deportation for being undocumented or overstaying their visas. This situation has sparked a debate and heightened sensitivity around immigration policies. India’s approach, as articulated by Jaishankar, is consistent and principled, focusing on managing migration in a way that benefits both countries and upholds legal standards.