Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that India is committed to building an inclusive, humane and future-proof migration framework while addressing the challenges of irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Migration is ultimately about people, their aspirations, resilience and contributions,” Singh told the plenary session of the Global Compact on Migration’s second International Migration Review Forum on Thursday.
“We strive to build a framework that is inclusive, humane and future-proof, while addressing challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking and social protection gaps,” he said.
Singh said India manages migration through a “comprehensive and pragmatic” framework that focuses on protecting migrants, monitoring every stage of the migration process and promoting international cooperation.
“Home to one of the world’s largest and most dynamic diasporas, with a population of more than 34 million people and a major recipient of global remittances, India is a testament to how migration transforms lives, communities and nations,” he said.
India has also concluded comprehensive bilateral mobility agreements and memorandums of understanding with 23 countries and is seeking more agreements to create sustainable pathways for fair and ethical mobility, he said.
“This is key to ensuring migrant welfare through safe and regular immigration pathways,” he added.
The minister highlighted the wide range of initiatives taken by India to support its nationals abroad, including the use of digital technology.
Consular protection is also enhanced through the “MADAD” complaints portal and the Immigration Resource Center.
India’s Passport Seva online portal further ensures timely and convenient services to Indian citizens overseas and at home.
He said that the Indian Community Welfare Fund has been providing emergency assistance, legal support and repatriation services to Indian nationals since its establishment in 2009.
“We have strengthened our skills training programs and expanded pre-departure training to equip our migrants with the necessary knowledge, including awareness of their rights and the host country’s culture,” he added.
Earlier this week, an International Organization for Migration report said India to the UAE and India to the United States were among the top 10 international migration corridors by 2024.
Since 2010, India has been the world’s largest recipient of remittances, receiving US$53.48 billion, which has increased year by year, reaching US$68.91 billion in 2015, US$83.15 billion in 2020, and US$137.67 billion in 2024.
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