US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said the United States had faced a major migration crisis, but made it clear that it was not linked to India, as Washington continues to overhaul its immigration
system. His remarks came during talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, where both sides discussed changes in US visa and green card policies.
Jaishankar flagged India’s concerns over the Trump administration’s revised immigration approach, warning that legal mobility should not be affected by tighter rules. He stressed that people-to-people ties remain central to the India-US relationship, particularly for sectors such as technology, business and research.
Ahead of Rubio’s visit, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services had issued a directive requiring foreign nationals applying for green cards to do so from their home countries. Although the guidance was later moderated, it has already raised concern among Indian professionals who form a large part of the US skilled workforce.
‘Bumps’ In Transition: Rubio
Addressing a joint press interaction, Rubio acknowledged that the US immigration system was undergoing a difficult transition and said “some bumps” and “friction points” were expected. However, he insisted the long-term goal was to build a more efficient and sustainable framework that works for all stakeholders.
Responding to concerns over discrimination against Indians in the US, Rubio rejected the idea that the policy shift was targeted. He said immigration reforms were being applied globally and were not aimed at any single country.
“We’ve had a migration crisis in the United States. This is not because of India, but broadly,” he said, adding that more than 20 million people had entered the country illegally in recent years.
He further said the US remained one of the most welcoming countries for immigrants and highlighted the contributions of foreign-born citizens to American society.
Rubio also said any major policy change would naturally involve adjustment challenges, but maintained that the US ultimately aimed for a “better and more efficient system”.
Rubio’s India Trip Amid Strain In Ties
Rubio’s trip to India comes over five weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri undertook a three-day visit to Washington DC that focused on stabilising the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain.
The relations between the two countries witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India and US President Donald Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May.
Over the next few months, the US president repeatedly and publicly claimed that he had resolved the military conflict between the two neighbours and saved millions of lives as it was going in the direction of a full-scale war.
New Delhi stoutly maintained that the cessation of the hostilities was a result of talks between India and Pakistan and the US involvement had nothing to do with it.
Washington’s new immigration policy and its decision to increase the H1B visa fee also contributed to the slide in India-US ties.
However, both sides made efforts in the last few months to repair the ties. The two sides have resolved to firm up a mutually beneficial trade deal soon.
(With inputs from PTI)
