NEW DELHI: After outrage over the treatment meted out to Indian deportees from the US, which echoed in Parliament as well, external affairs minister S Jaishankar strongly defended in both Houses India’s decision to accept illegal migrants sent back in an American military plane, saying there had been no change in the past US procedure for the flight.
The minister’s statement followed visuals released by US authorities, and comments by some of the returnees, that they were handcuffed and shackled during the flight.
While Jaishankar did not confirm if this was the first time Indians had been deported by the US in a military plane, he said, “The SOP for deportation by aircraft used by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), that is effective from 2012, I repeat, that is effective from 2012, provides for the use of restraints.” This applies to charter and military aircraft, he said, adding that India had been told by ICE that women and children were not restrained.
With more such flights not ruled out, Jaishankar said India was engaging the US govt to ensure that the returning deportees were not mistreated in any manner during the flight. He also promised action against agents facilitating illegal migration.
American authorities this week used a C-17 transport plane to deport 104 Indian nationals, in possibly the first use of a military aircraft for deportation to India. Replying to clarifications sought in Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said the passport details of all returnees were obtained and their credentials checked before allowing the aircraft to land in Amritsar.
Jaishankar also said the needs of deportees during transit related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies, were attended to in such flights.
“During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard. This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. There has been no change, I repeat, no change, from past procedure for the flight undertaken by the US on Feb 5, 2025,” he said, adding that the process of deportation was not new and had been going on for several years.
The minister gave a year-wise break-up of illegal migrants taken back since 2009: successive Indian govts have accepted 15,668 illegals from the US so far. “…The House will appreciate that our focus should be on strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry, while taking steps to ease visas for the legitimate traveller. On the basis of information provided by returning deportees about the agents and others involved, law enforcement agencies will take necessary preventive and exemplary actions.”
The minister also reiterated India’s position that it will accept all illegal migrants, subject to unambiguous verification of their origin, saying it was the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals. People-to-people exchanges constituted the bedrock of India’s ties with the US, he added. “Indeed, more than any other relationship, mobility and migration has had a key role to play in enhancing its quality.”
Jaishankar said it was in India’s interest to encourage legal mobility, adding illegal mobility and migration had other associated activities.
“Moreover, those of our citizens who have been inveigled into illegal movement themselves become prey to other crimes. They are trapped into both moving and working under inhumane conditions. Members are aware that there have even been fatalities in the course of such illegal migration. Those who have returned have also testified to their harrowing experiences.”
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