Washington, DC, January 23: Clarifying India's stance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi is open to the "legitimate return" of Indian nationals living 'illegally' abroad, including in the United States.
The Foreign Minister affirmed that India's position on the issue has been "consistent" and "principled," and he did clearly convey this to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"We have always taken the view that if there are any of our citizens who are not here legally, if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. So it's not a position unique to the United States," Jaishankar said at a press conference in Washington DC, on Wednesday (local time).
"I understand right now that there is a certain debate going on and a resulting sensitivity which is there. But we have been consistent; we have been very principled about it, and that remains our position, and I conveyed that very clearly to US State Secretary Marco Rubio," he added.
Jaishankar, however, also emphasised that India is very much supportive of 'legal mobility' between two countries and wants Indian skills and talent to have great opportunities at the global level.
He added that India is firmly opposed to illegal migration, adding it is not "reputationally good" and also leads to several illegal activities.
"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 a global level," the EAM said.
"At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration. because you also know that when something illegal happens, many other illegal activities get joined into it... this is not desirable. It's certainly not reputationally good...So we have with every country, and the US is no exception," he added.
The Foreign Minister, during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also pointed out the long waiting period for getting US visas and said it is not serving the relationship well.
"I also told him (Rubio) that, 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," he further said.
Notably, Jaishankar represented India at US President Donald Trump's inaugural function. He also carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for President Trump.Donald Trump took the oath as the 47th US President on January 20.
