Lok Sabha Question No. 5716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Support to Indian Population facing Legal Challenges Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5716 ANSWERED ON- 04/04/2025

SUPPORT TO INDIAN POPULATION FACING LEGAL CHALLENGES ABROAD

5716. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:(a)  the specific measures the Government is likely to implement to support its expatriate population facing legal challenges abroad particularly in the United States (US); and (b)  the manner in which the Government plans to engage with the new U.S. immigration policy in the long term particularly in terms of enhancing legal migration routes and minimizing the risks posed to Indian citizens residing illegally in the U.S.?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The Government of India, through its diplomatic Missions/Posts abroad, provide   support   and   assistance   to   the   Indian   population   facing   legal challenges abroad by offering necessary consular services and legal aid. Indian Embassies and Consulates seek consular access to detained or arrested Indian nationals in order to provide necessary assistance. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in Indian Missions/ Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress and facing legal   challenges,   on   a   means   tested   basis   in   deserving   cases.   Indian Missions and Posts abroad, through their empanelled lawyers, offer legal advice   and   guidance   as   required.   Any   unfortunate   incident   or   legal challenges   faced   by   members   of   the   Indian   diaspora   community   are immediately   taken   up   by   Missions/Posts   abroad   with   the   concerned authorities of the host country to ensure their safety and fair treatment. Such   issues,   when   it   occurs,   are   also   raised   during   meetings   with Government officials of the concerned countries, including at the highest levels, as appropriate.

The concerns of the Indian diaspora members are responded to almost on a real time basis through telephone calls, walk-ins, emails, social media, 24x7 emergency helplines, Open Houses and the MADAD Portal.

(b) With regard to illegal migration, it is the policy of the Government of India to negotiate mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks with other countries that allows for streamlining avenues for legal mobility of   students   and   professionals,   and   facilitating   short-term   tourist   and business   travel,   while   also   addressing   illegal   immigration   and   human trafficking   by   taking   strong   action   against   the   bad   actors,   criminal facilitators, and illegal immigration networks. In such cases, all necessary assistance to Indian nationals is being provided by the Government as per extant rules.

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the United States of America, the two sides underlined the evolution of the world into a   global   workplace   and   called   for   facilitating   secure   and   mutually beneficial mobility frameworks between the two countries while cracking down on illegal immigration networks.

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