Foreign Minister Jaishankar assures that India is working with the US to ensure fair treatment of deported nationals.
India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has assured the parliament that the Indian government is in communication with the United States to ensure that its citizens are not subjected to mistreatment during deportation. This statement followed a report that 104 Indians, deported on a US military flight, were shackled during the 40-hour journey.
One deportee, Jaspal Singh, who arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday, shared his distressing experience with the BBC, describing how he was restrained for the entire flight, including during multiple stops. According to Singh, the shackles were only removed once the plane landed.
However, Jaishankar clarified that the US authorities, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), had informed him that women and children were not restrained during transit. He added that deportation protocols, which have been in place for several years, did not change and allowed for the removal of restraints during bathroom breaks. ICE also confirmed that the basic needs of deportees, including food and medical care, were addressed throughout the flight.
The incident has sparked outrage in India, with opposition leaders condemning the inhumane treatment. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the US’s methods, calling the deportation in shackles an insult to the dignity of Indian citizens. He acknowledged the US’s right to enforce its immigration laws but expressed concern over the manner in which the deportation occurred.
President Trump’s administration has made it a priority to address illegal immigration, and India is seen as a key partner in the process. Jaishankar reiterated that all countries, including India, have a responsibility to accept back their nationals who have entered foreign countries illegally. He also highlighted the dangerous journeys many migrants face, including those exploited by fraudulent travel agencies that charge exorbitant fees to migrants desperate to work abroad.
As public outrage grows, there have been calls for accountability, with leaders demanding an explanation from the US government regarding the treatment of deported migrants. This incident adds to a growing list of concerns from other countries, including Brazil and Colombia, over the handling of deportations by the US.
