Jaishankar on Indian Deportations: A National Duty
Jaishankar stated in the Rajya Sabha that every country is responsible for repatriating its citizens if they are discovered residing illegally in foreign nations.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday addressed the issue of Indian citizens being deported from the United States, emphasizing that it is the fundamental duty of every country to take back its nationals if they are found residing illegally abroad.
In the Rajya Sabha, he stated, “All countries must repatriate their citizens if they are found living illegally in foreign nations.”
Jaishankar also reassured parliamentarians that the Indian government is in communication with U.S. authorities to ensure deportees are treated fairly. Additionally, he stressed the need for strict measures against the illegal immigration network.
“We are actively engaging with the U.S. government to prevent any mistreatment of deportees. At the same time, our primary focus should be on taking firm action against the illegal immigration industry,” he said.
He further added that based on information provided by deportees, law enforcement agencies would take necessary preventive and exemplary actions against agents and organizations involved in illegal immigration.
Jaishankar further stated that deportations from the U.S. are carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and follow a standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft, which has been in effect since 2013.
He also clarified that there has been no change in procedure for the flight conducted by the U.S. on February 5.
The External Affairs Minister’s statement followed protests by opposition MPs, who demanded a parliamentary discussion on the recent deportation of over 100 Indian nationals from the U.S.
Among the protesters, several members, including Amritsar MP Gurujit Singh Aujla, were seen wearing handcuffs as a symbolic gesture.
The External Affairs Minister’s statement came in response to protests by opposition MPs, who demanded a parliamentary discussion on the recent deportation of over 100 Indian nationals from the United States.
As part of the demonstration, several members, including Amritsar MP Gurujit Singh Aujla, were seen wearing handcuffs in a symbolic act of protest.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that the U.S. has the right to deport individuals residing there illegally.
However, he criticized how Indian citizens were being deported, calling it “unnecessary,” as they were neither criminals nor had any ill intentions.
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Tharoor argued that the U.S. should have used commercial or civilian aircraft for deportation and emphasized the need for a more “humane approach.”
He also pointed out that over 1,100 Indians were deported under the Biden administration in 2024.
