- Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that mobility of professionals fosters mutual benefit, strengthens global production networks, and allows countries to complement each other’s strengths
- Cooperation, he said, should guide future immigration frameworks rather than suspicion or protectionism
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has cautioned the United States and European countries about the long-term consequences of imposing increasingly rigid immigration rules. Speaking at an interactive session on global mobility, he argued that Western economies risk becoming “net losers” if they block the movement of skilled workers needed for innovation and advanced manufacturing.
His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the US H-1B visa programme and similar debates across Europe. Jaishankar emphasised that the challenges confronting Western nations—ranging from labour shortages to supply-chain gaps—stem not from immigrants but from policy decisions made domestically over the past two decades, including the offshoring of industries.
- Jaishankar highlighted a contradiction: as countries move deeper into technology-heavy economic models, their demand for specialised talent is rising, yet political pressures are pushing them toward tighter borders
- He stressed that advanced economies cannot develop high-skill talent “organically” at the pace required, making strategic immigration essential
The Minister also noted growing societal tensions in Western countries over employment and productivity. As industries modernise, the gap between available local skills and emerging economic needs widens. Without tapping global talent, Jaishankar warned, progress could slow and competitiveness could decline.
While acknowledging domestic sensitivities in other nations, he argued that a balanced, pragmatic approach will eventually prevail. He predicted that the West would “arrive at a modest understanding” that mobility helps both host economies and talent-sending nations.
His remarks align with broader concerns in business and policy circles. Several tech and engineering sectors in the US and EU have reported severe labour shortages. Employers say that restrictive visa processes, long waiting periods, and inconsistent rules hinder recruitment and innovation.
