Washington:
Clarifying India’s stand, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said that New Delhi is ready for the “lawful return” of Indian citizens living ‘illegally’ abroad, including in the US.
“We have always held 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 are always ready for their lawful return to India. The situation is not unique to the US,” EAM Jaishankar said at a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time).
He confirmed that India’s position on the issue has been “consistent” and “principled” and has clearly conveyed this to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I understand right now that there is a certain debate going on and there is sensitivity as a result of it. But we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it, and that remains our position, and I have made it very clear to the American state. Secretary Marco Rubio,” he said.
However, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also emphasized that India is very supportive of ‘legal mobility’ between the two countries and wants Indian skills and talent to get the best opportunities at the global level.
He said India strongly opposes illegal migration, saying it is not “reputationally good” and also leads to many illegal activities.
Mr Jaishankar said, “As a government, we are obviously very supportive of legal mobility because we believe in the global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to get maximum opportunities globally.”
“At the same time, we also strongly oppose illegal mobility and illegal migration. Because you also know that when something is illegal, many other illegal activities are added to it… This is not desirable. “Certainly not good from a reputation point of view. …So we’ve done that to every country, and America is no exception,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister also pointed to the long waiting period for obtaining US visas during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and said that this is not good for relations.
“I also told him (Rubio) that, while we understand all of this, and I also acknowledge that these are autonomous processes, it is in our mutual interest to facilitate legal and mutually beneficial dynamics. If it involves There seems to be a waiting period of 400 odd days to get a visa, I don’t think that will lead to good relations, so I think they have addressed that point as well.”
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar represented India at the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump. He also had a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for President Trump.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President on January 20.