India reiterates its stance on undocumented migrants, calls discussion on numbers “premature”
India has affirmed that it will repatriate illegal migrants from the US only after verifying their Indian origin, amid reports of mass deportations under the Trump administratio, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
The Indian government maintains that no official number has been confirmed for deportations.
NEW DELHI: Responding to concerns over irregular migration, India on Friday reiterated its long-standing policy of accepting undocumented migrants from the US only after their Indian nationality is confirmed. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that discussions about the number of deportees remain “premature.”
The statement came after reports from the US claimed that “hundreds” of illegal immigrants were deported via military aircraft just days into President Donald Trump’s second term, with over 500 individuals reportedly arrested. Indian officials, however, have denied any knowledge of what has been described as the “largest massive deportation operation.”
While the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported issuing final removal orders for nearly 18,000 people for deportation to India last year, the Indian government has yet to verify those numbers. US authorities have criticized India for delays in confirming citizenship, labeling it “uncooperative.”
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, after meeting US counterpart Marco Rubio, emphasized that India applies the same policy to all countries, including the US
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MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reinforced this, stating, “We are against illegal immigration, especially due to its links to organized crime. If an individual is an Indian national and has overstayed or is in a country without proper documentation, we will take them back—but only after verification.”
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a post on X, claimed, “The Trump administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals… also deported hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals via military aircraft. The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made, promises kept.”
Trump has repeatedly stated that illegal immigration places a heavy burden on the US and pledged to take strong measures to address the issue.
Following his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar acknowledged the ongoing debate in the US but reiterated that India’s position remains consistent and principled. Addressing trade concerns, he also dismissed the idea of linking migration issues with trade policies, saying, “India and the US have strong, multifaceted economic ties. We have established mechanisms to address trade concerns constructively.”
India continues to engage in diplomatic discussions with the US administration to ensure a balanced approach to migration and trade issues.
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