Misri briefs House panel over row on US deportees
India-US relations were the focal point of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s briefing to a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Wednesday, where members raised concerns over deportation of illegal Indian immigrants and the potential impact of US threats to impose reciprocal tariffs.
Committee Chairman Shashi Tharoor described the session as a thorough discussion on current foreign policy developments, with a particular focus on the PM’s recent visit to Washington. “Every imaginable question regarding the India-US relationship in this context was raised and addressed,” he said.
Due to the extensive deliberations on the US, briefings on other key issues, including Bangladesh (for an upcoming report), the Emir of Qatar’s visit and the PM’s visit to France, were postponed to a future meeting.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Deepender Hooda highlighted concerns over reciprocal tariffs, reportedly threatened by former US President Donald Trump, and sought clarity on their potential impact on India. The issue of handcuffing deportees was also raised, with Hooda emphasising that deported Indians should be transported on civilian flights and not be handcuffed as US laws don’t apply to Indian airspace.
Sources said Misri assured the panel that the Indian Government is actively working to ensure deportees are not mistreated. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had previously stated that deportation is an ongoing process and that India is engaging with the US to safeguard the dignity of deported citizens.
