**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3244 on August 8, 2025, regarding the repatriation of Indian citizens from the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs addressed concerns about deportation operations conducted as part of the U.S. "National Security initiative," which began on January 20, 2025. The Ministry clarified that the U.S. is deporting individuals found to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws, and that it is an accepted principle in international relations for countries to repatriate their own nationals residing illegally abroad, subject to nationality verification.
The Ministry of External Affairs engaged with the U.S. government regarding the humane treatment of deportees, specifically raising concerns about the use of shackles, particularly on women, on a flight that landed on February 5, 2025. The U.S. assured that no women or children were restrained on deportation flights landing in India after February 15, 2025, and the Ministry reports no further complaints regarding the use of restraints on subsequent flights. The U.S. has since been deporting Indian nationals on commercial flights and dedicated passenger charter services.
The Government of India is committed to dismantling the network facilitating illegal migration, including agents, human trafficking, and criminal elements. The issue of deportation has been widely covered by Indian media, with deported individuals sharing their experiences.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI AMRA RAM: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question regarding repatriation of Indian citizens.
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: The Indian government ministry responsible for external affairs, answering the parliamentary question.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the LOK SABHA question.
United States: Country deporting Indian citizens; also referred to as U.S.
India: Country receiving deported citizens; also referred to as Government of India.
National Security initiative: A U.S. initiative led by the White House National Security Council (NSC) related to deportation operations.
White House National Security Council NSC: The U.S. body leading the National Security initiative under which deportation operations were conducted.
Indian immigration laws: The laws of India pertaining to immigration matters which are being violated.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3244
ANSWERED ON - 08/08/2025
REPATRIATION OF INDIAN CITIZENS
†3244. SHRI AMRA RAM
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the US Government repatriated Indian citizens to
India in handcuffs and shackles in military aircraft, if so, the action
taken by the Government in this regard;
(b) whether this has caused harm to the country's reputation, if
so, the details thereof;
(c) whether this matter was raised with the US Government, if so,
the details thereof;
(d) the reasons for not sending our own aircraft for bringing back
our citizens while the smaller countries did so; and
(e) the reasons for not allowing the Media to meet such citizens?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to e) Beginning 20 January 2025, the U.S. Administration carried
out deportation operations to many countries as part of the larger
"National Security initiative” led by the White House National Secu-
rity Council (NSC).
The U.S. is deporting only those individuals who have been appre-
hended for violating the U.S. immigration laws. It is the obligation of
all countries to take back their nationals, if they are found to be liv-
ing illegally abroad. This is however subject to an unambiguous veri-
fication of their nationality. This is not a policy practiced only by In-
dia; it is a generally accepted principle in international relations.
The Ministry of External Affairs remains engaged with the U.S. side
regarding the humane treatment of deportees during deportation
operations. The Ministry had strongly registered its concerns with
the U.S. authorities on the treatment meted out to deportees on the
flight that landed on 5 February, particularly with respect to use of
shackles, especially on women. The U.S. side has confirmed that no
women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that
2landed in India after 15th February 2025. This Ministry has received
no complaints regarding use of restraints on deportees on subse-
quent flights. The U.S. has recently been deporting Indian nationals
on commercial flights and dedicated passenger charter services.
Illegal migration is often linked to a broader network of unlawful ac-
tivities. The Government of India remains firmly committed to iden-
tifying and dismantling the ecosystem that enables such migration,
including unscrupulous agents, human trafficking rackets, and other
criminal elements involved in facilitating illegal immigration.
The issue of deportation has received wide coverage in both print
and visual media in India. Several deported individuals have spoken
to the media, recounting their experiences in detail.
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