India, the world's fifth-largest economy, continues to experience robust GDP growth, making it a powerhouse on the global stage. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of Indian citizens venture abroad each year, seeking improved opportunities. The United States remains the favored destination for the Indian diaspora, with a significant Indian-origin population that increased by 50% to 4.8 million over the decade leading up to 2020.
During a meeting in Washington on January 23rd, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the issue of undocumented Indian citizens in the United States. The discussion focused on approximately 18,000 Indians who have either overstayed their visas or are undocumented. India expressed its readiness to take back these individuals, emphasizing its commitment to legal immigration.
Jaishankar stated that India is open to the legitimate return of its citizens who reside illegally abroad. He emphasized India's stance on providing global opportunities for Indian talent while opposing illegal migration.
"So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always taken the view that if any of our citizens are here illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India." – Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
As the United States grapples with immigration challenges, largely due to executive orders issued under President Donald Trump's administration aimed at curbing illegal immigration, deportation efforts have intensified. Collaboratively, the US and India are working towards verifying and facilitating the return of eligible undocumented individuals.
The appeal of the United States for Indian students further underscores the strength of this bilateral relationship. In 2022, over one-third of nearly 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad chose the US as their academic destination. This trend highlights both nations' shared interest in fostering educational and professional exchanges.
Jaishankar underscored India's commitment to ensuring that Indian skills and talents thrive globally, aligning with its policy of opposing illegal mobility.
"We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration." – Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
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