News Brief
India Opposes Illegal Migration But Supports Legal Mobility, Jaishankar Tells US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and EAM S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India remains open to the"legitimate return" of Indian nationals living 'illegally' abroad, including in the United States.
"We have always taken the view that if there are any of our citizens, who are not here legally, if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. So it's not a position unique to the US," EAM Jaishankar said at a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday (22 January).
Jaishankar emphasised that India’s stance on this matter has been “consistent” and “principled,” adding that he conveyed this position clearly to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"I understand right now that there is a certain debate going on and a resulting sensitivity which is there. But we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it, and that remains our position, and I conveyed that very clearly to US State Secretary Marco Rubio," he added.
However, Jaishankar also emphasised India’s strong support for ‘legal mobility’ between nations and its desire for Indian skills and talent to access greater opportunities on the global stage.
He said that India is firmly opposed to illegal migration, adding it is not "reputationally good" and also leads to several illegal activities.
"At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration. because you also know that when something illegal happens, many other illegal activities get joined into it... this is not desirable. It's certainly not reputationally good... So we have with every country, and the US is no exception," he added.
During his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar raised concerns about the prolonged waiting period for US visas, stating that it does not serve the relationship well.
"I also told him (Rubio) that, while we understand all of this, and I also accept that these are autonomous processes, it is in our mutual interest to facilitate legal and mutually beneficial mobility. If it takes 400 odd days waiting period to get a visa, I don't think the relationship is well served by this. So I think he also noted that point," he also said.
Jaishankar attended US President Donald Trump’s inaugural function as India’s representative. He also delivered a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Trump.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January.
