India is taking active steps to cooperate with the Trump administration in the United States, aiming to avoid a trade war and strengthen bilateral ties. An important aspect of this cooperation includes the repatriation of Indian citizens living illegally in the US. It is estimated that around 18,000 Indian immigrants are set to be deported, although the actual number may be much higher due to challenges in tracking undocumented individuals, Bloomberg reports.
The move is seen as a strategic effort by India to appease the Trump administration, which has been vocal about its intentions to crack down on illegal immigration. In fact, President Trump has already begun making good on his campaign promises, pushing to end birthright citizenship and deploying troops to the US-Mexico border. India hopes that by cooperating on the issue of illegal migration, the Trump administration will respond in return by protecting legal immigration channels, including student visas and the H-1B program for skilled workers.
India’s cooperation on migration issues is also motivated by its desire to maintain strong relations with the US, which is vital to its economic and strategic interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is actively engaging with various countries to sign migration deals, including Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Israel. These agreements aim to promote legal migration and prevent illegal migration, while also addressing the issue of labor mobility.
The Indian government’s efforts to cooperate with the US on migration issues are also influenced by its concerns about separatist movements abroad. For example, the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish a separate Sikh state on Indian soil, has been of concern to Indian authorities. By taking back illegal immigrants, India hopes to disrupt the support networks of such movements and prevent them from gaining ground.
Although India’s cooperation with the US on migration issues is a positive development, there are concerns about potential risks and challenges. For example, deportation of large numbers of Indian immigrants could cause social and economic disruption in India, especially if adequate assistance and rehabilitation is not provided to returnees. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential impact on India’s labor and mobility agreements with other countries, which could be affected by the country’s cooperation with the US on migration issues.
In conclusion, India’s decision to cooperate with the US on migration issues reflects its desire to maintain strong relations with the US and avoid a trade war. Although there are potential risks and challenges involved, India’s efforts to promote legal migration and deter illegal migration are likely to have a positive impact on its economic and strategic interests.
