𒀰Moments after ruckus in both houses over the recent deportation of Indians from the United States, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha about the matter. During his address, the EAM noted that "people to people exchanges is the bedrock of India's deepening ties with the US."
🔯On Wednesday, a US military plane carrying 104 Indians landed in Amritsar, Punjab. The 104 Indians had been deported from the United States for staying in the country illegally.
♐Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the minister stated that the deportation from the US is not new and has been a process with India since 2009.
ꦰSharing the number of deportees since 2009, EAM Jaishankar added it is the "obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad."
'Restrictions For Deportees As Per Protocol'
🌞The 104 deportees, which included women and children, were restrained in the US military airplane. While the visuals of this sparked outrage across the Parliament, the external affairs minister reiterated that this was based on ICE policy.
ཧ"Deportations by the U.S. are organised and executed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft used by ICE, effective from 2012, provides for the use of restraints," stated Jaishankar, adding that the women and children are not restrained.
"Further need of deportees during transit related to food ꦰand other necessities, including possible medical emergencies, are attended to. During toilet breaks deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed. This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft," he said.
꧑The EAM further added that India is engaged with the US to make sure the deportees are not mistreated during the process.
