“US-India Diplomacy in Action: Tackling Illegal Migration and Strengthening Strategic Ties”

The issue of illegal migration has once again come under the spotlight as nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians in the United States face deportation. The US government, under a strict immigration policy, has identified these individuals and shared their details with Indian authorities for verification.

India has agreed to evaluate the authenticity of the documents of these individuals. According to sources, if they are confirmed to be Indian nationals, they will be taken back as part of India’s longstanding commitment to addressing illegal migration. “India has always stood against unlawful migration, and if the paperwork is validated, these individuals will be repatriated,” the sources clarified.

The Trump administration’s firm stance on deporting undocumented migrants reflects its broader agenda of cracking down on irregular immigration. Reports indicate that this number could potentially rise to 200,000 as investigations uncover more cases of unauthorized migration, with a significant portion of these individuals hailing from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.

During a recent meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the topic of irregular migration took center stage. Rubio emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns while highlighting the shared goal of advancing US-India economic ties.

A statement from the US State Department affirmed the administration’s commitment to collaborating with India to manage irregular migration while promoting legal migration channels. Experts have pointed out that any reluctance on India’s part to address this issue could adversely impact the legal migration pathways, including student and work visas, which are highly valued by Indian citizens.

In 2023 alone, Indian nationals secured nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas issued by the US. Additionally, the “Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange” revealed that over 3.3 lakh Indian students chose the US for higher studies in 2024, underscoring the deep-rooted academic and professional ties between the two nations.

The Trump administration’s immigration policies have left an indelible mark, ranging from efforts to end birthright citizenship to mobilizing resources for border security. Within hours of taking office, the administration initiated a series of reforms aimed at curbing illegal migration—a cornerstone of Trump’s campaign promises.

Beyond migration, Jaishankar’s discussions with Rubio and other US officials touched on critical topics like emerging technologies, defence cooperation, energy collaboration, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar reiterated India’s dedication to strengthening the US-India partnership, calling it a cornerstone for regional stability and mutual prosperity.

The bilateral talks also included a meeting with US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, where both sides agreed on the importance of a dynamic and outcome-oriented agenda for global stability.

As the dialogue continues, this collaboration reflects the evolving dynamics of US-India relations, where migration management is a shared responsibility, and strategic cooperation serves as a foundation for a prosperous future.