In an effort to mitigate concerns arising from reports of Indian nationals facing deportation, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed that New Delhi is receptive to the “legitimate return” of Indian citizens residing abroad without legal status, including those in the United States. During a press conference on January 22, Jaishankar reiterated India’s steadfast and principled stance on this issue, which he had previously communicated to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in their recent discussions. He emphasized that India has consistently welcomed the return of its citizens who are undocumented, asserting that this position is not exclusive to the United States. Jaishankar also addressed the complexities surrounding the ongoing immigration discourse, firmly stating India’s opposition to illegal migration, which he described as detrimental to the nation’s reputation and a catalyst for various unlawful activities. He articulated that illegal actions often lead to a proliferation of other criminal behaviors, which is undesirable. Concurrently, he highlighted India’s commitment to promoting “legal mobility” among nations, stressing the necessity of fostering global opportunities for Indian talent and skills. He remarked that the Indian government is dedicated to supporting legal mobility, as it believes in the value of a global workforce and aims to maximize opportunities for Indian professionals on the international stage.
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister expressed his concerns regarding the protracted US visa application process, which he argued poses a barrier to strengthening bilateral relations. He conveyed to Rubio that while India acknowledges the autonomy of the visa processes, it is in both nations’ interests to facilitate legal and mutually advantageous mobility. Jaishankar pointed out that a visa processing time of approximately 400 days is not conducive to fostering a robust relationship, and he noted that Rubio acknowledged this concern. In summary, India is striving to navigate its opposition to illegal migration while simultaneously advocating for enhanced global opportunities.India is striving to reconcile its stance against unlawful migration with its efforts to create global opportunities for its labor force, all the while being cautious not to provoke the Trump administration in order to maintain favorable trade relations between the two nations.
