New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the new Trump administration that prolonged delays in Indians securing US visas did “not well serve” the bilateral relationship between the two countries. He also reiterated India’s consistent policy of accepting verified illegal immigrants confirmed as Indian nationals, noting that this stance applies universally to all countries.
During his latest visit to Washington DC, Jaishankar attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump’s second term and participated in a Quad ministers’ meeting. He also held a separate bilateral discussion with the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on Tuesday.
‘Delay in visas constrains people to people contacts’
Speaking to reporters a day later, Jaishankar said that he raised the matter of the long delays faced by Indian applicants in obtaining an US visa.
“The delay in visas constrains people to people contacts that act as the very basis of the relationship. The relationship is not well served if there is a delay of 400 days in issuing visas to Indian nationals,” he said in his opening remarks at the press conference on Wednesday (January 22) morning.
In the state department readout of the meeting, it was specifically pointed out that Secretary Rubio raised the need to address concerns over “irregular migration”.
Addressing questions on the discussion, Jaishankar acknowledged that the issue of “mobility of people” was part of the talks.
“As a government we obviously are very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level,” he said.
At the same time, he reiterated, India was firmly opposed to illegal immigration.
“With every country and the US is no exception, we have always taken the view that if there are any of our citizens who are not here legally- If you are sure that they are our citizens, we’ve always been open to their legitimate return to India. So, it’s not a position unique to the United States,” he said.
Jaishankar cautions against taking illegal immigration figures cited by US at face value
Alluding to the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration, Jaishankar added, “I understand that there is an ongoing debate and resulting sensitivities at the moment. However, our approach has been consistent and principled, and I conveyed this clearly to Secretary Rubio.”
While US border authorities have cited figures suggesting over 20,000 Indians face deportation, Jaishankar cautioned against taking these numbers at face value.
“I’ve seen some numbers. I caution you about them because for us a number is operative when we can actually validate the fact that the individual concerned is of Indian origin,” he said.
Also Read: Will Trump Be Able to Deport 13.3 Million Undocumented Immigrants?
While discussing the issue of illegal migration with Secretary Rubio, Jaishankar said that he also brought up the significant visa delays faced by Indians.
“At the same time, I also told him that, look, while we understand all of this, and I also accept that these are autonomous processes, it is in our mutual interest to facilitate legal and mutually beneficial mobility. …If it takes 400 odd days waiting period to get a visa, I don’t think the relationship is well served by this. So, I think he also noted that point,” said Jaishankar.
The Indian minister sidestepped a question regarding President Trump’s controversial pronouncements and measures, including intentions to take over the Panama Canal, acquire Greenland, and withdraw from key UN agencies.
“Every country has a sovereign right to make decisions about its international commitments and responsibilities. Different nations may hold varying views on such matters, but ultimately, it is their decision, and I will leave it at that,” he said.
“Look, every country has a sovereign right to take decisions about their international commitments and responsibilities, so we can have our respective views on it…But you know, it is their decision, so I leave it at that,” he said.
