India against illegal immigration; will take back those overstaying in US: MEA
PTC Web Desk: India has reaffirmed its strong stance against illegal immigration, highlighting its connection to organised crime. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the issue during a media briefing on Friday, stressing the government’s commitment to managing such cases responsibly.
“For Indian nationals overstaying or residing abroad without proper documentation, we will facilitate their return once their nationality is verified through necessary documents,” said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the MEA.
Jaiswal clarified that the verification process is crucial to ensure the authenticity of claims and that India remains proactive in addressing concerns related to undocumented immigrants. However, when asked about the exact number of people being repatriated from the United States, he stated, “Any discussion about numbers is premature.”
The MEA spokesperson also addressed questions about whether ongoing discussions regarding the return of illegal immigrants from the US might impact India’s trade and industrial relations. “Illegal migration and trade are two separate issues,” Jaiswal asserted. “Our policy on illegal migration is very clear and firm, primarily because it is closely linked to organised crime.”
In the same briefing, Jaiswal discussed the upcoming visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to China, scheduled for January 26 and 27. During this visit, Misri will engage with his Chinese counterpart, the vice minister, to address various matters of bilateral interest.
“This meeting stems from the understanding reached during discussions in Kazan,” Jaiswal explained. “Since then, there have been follow-up meetings at the special representatives level as well as foreign minister-level engagements.”
The spokesperson highlighted that this visit is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve issues and strengthen cooperation between the two countries. “We will receive a detailed readout of the discussions once the meetings conclude, but all key areas of mutual interest will be addressed,” he added.
- With inputs from agencies
