NEW DELHI: During his recent visit to Washington, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar raised concerns with the Trump administration about the long delays in issuing US visas to Indian nationals, stressing that these delays were not conducive to improving bilateral relations. He also reiterated India's long-standing policy of welcoming back verified illegal immigrants, a position India maintains universally with all nations.
Dr Jaishankar, who attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump's second term and participated in the QUAD ministers' meeting, also held a bilateral discussion with the new U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. In their first-ever meeting, the two leaders covered crucial issues such as irregular immigration and economic cooperation, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Rubio stressed the Trump administration's desire to enhance economic collaboration with India while addressing challenges posed by illegal immigration. Dr Jaishankar in turn, emphasized India’s commitment to facilitating the return of Indian citizens who are in the US illegally, underlining the importance of legal immigration and opposing unlawful migration, which can often lead to other criminal activities.
The leaders also discussed the possibility of a high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the upcoming AI summit in Paris. Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the strong trust between the two leaders significantly strengthens the bilateral relationship and sets the foundation for future cooperation.
Visa delays were also discussed, with Dr Jaishankar pointing out that extended wait times for US visas were hindering smoother relations. He called for efforts to streamline the process, particularly for skilled professionals, in order to foster stronger ties in a technology-driven world.
On the economic front, Dr Jaishankar noted that there were ample opportunities for both nations to deepen collaboration in areas such as technology, defense, energy, and regional security. He pointed out that the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), established during the Biden administration, would continue under the Trump administration.
Dr Jaishankar also acknowledged the progress made in defense cooperation between India and the US, including agreements such as BECA and COMCASA, and suggested that the next phase of bilateral engagement would further align the countries’ security and technological interests.
As both nations continue to push for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, Dr Jaishankar reiterated the importance of their cooperation through the Quad, stressing their shared regional security goals.
Despite the positive exchanges, Dr Jaishankar noted that sensitive issues, such as the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants, could remain contentious. Reports suggest that about 20,000 Indians could face deportation under the Trump administration, which has taken a tougher stance on immigration.
However, both ministers refrained from discussing certain issues, such as the alleged assassination plot targeting pro-Khalistan separatist Guruptwant Singh Pannun, instead focusing on strengthening the broader relationship.
Visa Delays Impact People-to-People Contacts
In a follow-up press conference, Dr Jaishankar emphasized the importance of resolving visa delays, which he said were restricting people-to-people contacts—an essential aspect of bilateral relations. He mentioned that delays of up to 400 days in issuing visas were detrimental to the relationship between the two countries.
Dr Jaishankar acknowledged that irregular migration was a key issue during discussions and reaffirmed India's stance on legal mobility, advocating for Indian talent to have greater opportunities on the global stage. However, he reiterated that India opposed illegal immigration and confirmed that India had always been open to the legitimate return of its citizens if they were verified to be Indian nationals.
Dr Jaishankar also expressed caution about the figures related to deportation, with US authorities citing over 20,000 Indians potentially facing deportation. He noted that such numbers should not be taken at face value until the individuals' Indian nationality could be confirmed.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India-US partnership, particularly in the areas of defense, critical technologies, and economic cooperation.