India ready to take back ‘undocumented’ emigrants – foreign minister — RT India

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Washington on Wednesday that New Delhi is “firmly opposed” to any unlaful migration of its citizens to other countries, including the US, and is open to the “legitimate return” of such Indians to their homeland.

Jaishankar, who is in the US to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, has also held a series of meetings with the Trump administration’s newly appointed officials. During his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the sides discussed the issue of illegal migration raised by Washington, the minister told reporters.

“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,” Jaishankar said at a press conference in the US capital on Wednesday.

He affirmed that India’s position on the issue has been “consistent” and “principled” and that he clearly conveyed this to Secretary of State 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 said.

Jaishankar, however, emphasized that the government is strongly supportive of legal mobility, as it believes in a global workforce and aims to afford Indian talent and skills the maximum opportunities worldwide. His remarks came against the backdrop of the ongoing debate regarding the reform of Washington’s H1B visa policy. Indians account for over 70% of H1B visa recipients.

Bloomberg reported earlier this week that the Indian government has identified around 180,000 people who either entered the US illegally or have overstayed their visas, and was working with Trump’s administration to “take them back.” The outlet noted that New Delhi’s effort was part of a strategy to ensure that its IT professional continue to obtain H-1B visas.

According to The Guardian, there are an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third largest group after migrants from Mexico and El Salvador.

Jaishankar, however, did not comment on the numbers, stressing that India first has to validate the data.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is regarded as having a strong personal bond with Trump with both leaders frequently referring to each other as “great friends.” However, Trump has also threatened significant trade tariffs on India as part of his ‘America First’ policy, which could have devastating effects on the Indian economy. Foreign policy experts note that Modi’s government would be focusing on avoiding trade disputes.

Meanwhile, Times of India reported on Thursday that New Delhi and Washington are in touch diplomatically to schedule a visit by Modi to the US. Trump was also reported to have told his advisers last week that he is looking to visit China and India soon. New Delhi is scheduled to host the Quad summit this year, and the timing of Modi’s potential bilateral visit to US hinges on the timing of the grouping’s summit, the report noted. The Quad group includes US, India, Australia and Japan.