Jaishankar on US Migrant Talks: Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue of irregular migration with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the Trump administration’s stance on the matter. Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent position on legal mobility and illegal migration, stating, “The U.S. is no exception. If any of our citizens are found to be staying illegally, and their identity as Indian nationals is verified, we have always been open to their legitimate return. This has been our principled and consistent stance, which I conveyed clearly to Secretary Rubio.”
Delighted to meet @secrubio for his first bilateral meeting after assumption of office as Secretary of State.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 21, 2025
Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership, of which @secrubio has been a strong advocate.
Also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues.
Look… pic.twitter.com/NVpBUEAyHK
He cautioned against speculating on numbers, stressing the need to first confirm whether the individuals in question are of Indian origin.
S. Jaishankar also brought up the issue of delays in U.S. visa processing for Indian nationals, highlighting how such delays hinder people-to-people ties, which form the foundation of bilateral relations. Additionally, he mentioned discussing the situation in Bangladesh with Rubio, though he did not provide further details.