External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding the potential deportation of undocumented Indians from the United States. He clarified India’s position, emphasising a commitment to facilitating the legal movement of Indian citizens globally while firmly opposing illegal immigration.

This stance, he underscored, is not unique to the United States but reflects India’s consistent and principled approach to managing undocumented citizens worldwide.

Jaishankar acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with the U.S. government regarding the repatriation of Indians who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas. However, he cautioned against accepting unverified figures circulating in news reports, particularly those suggesting a specific number of individuals facing deportation.

He stressed that India is diligently verifying the citizenship of each individual before confirming their eligibility for repatriation.

“As a government, we wholeheartedly support legal mobility, recognizing the importance of a globalized workforce,” Jaishankar stated. “We want Indian talent and skills to flourish on a global scale. However, we maintain a firm stance against illegal mobility and migration.”

He explained that illegal activities often intertwine with other illegal actions, leading to undesirable consequences and reputational damage.

He highlighted India’s consistent willingness to cooperate with other nations to facilitate the legitimate return of its citizens found to be in violation of immigration laws. This commitment extends to the United States, where India is working to verify the citizenship of those potentially facing deportation. The process, he stressed, requires thorough verification to ensure that only genuine Indian citizens are repatriated.

Jaishankar also used the opportunity to raise concerns about excessively long visa processing times, which he argued negatively impacted the bilateral relationship. He shared these concerns directly with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasising the need for streamlined processes that facilitate legal and mutually beneficial mobility between the two nations. Rubio, Jaishankar noted, acknowledged the validity of these concerns.

In summary, India’s position remains steadfast: a commitment to global mobility for its citizens within the bounds of the law, coupled with a firm stance against illegal immigration. While cooperating with the U.S. on repatriation efforts, India prioritises accurate verification of citizenship to ensure the legitimate return of its citizens. Simultaneously, the government advocates for improvements in visa processing times to bolster the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal made a bold promise to the people of Delhi on Thursday: the eradication of unemployment within five years. With the Delhi Assembly elections looming just two weeks away, Kejriwal’s pledge forms a central plank of the AAP’s campaign platform.

In a recent video message, he underscored his commitment to job creation, emphasizing that this issue represents his top priority. He revealed that his team is diligently working on a detailed plan to tackle the multifaceted problem of unemployment in the nation’s capital.

Kejriwal pointed to the AAP government’s performance in Punjab as a testament to their ability to deliver on this promise. He highlighted the creation of 48,000 government jobs and the facilitation of over 300,000 private-sector jobs in less than two years.

This track record, he argued, demonstrates their understanding of job creation strategies and their genuine commitment to addressing unemployment. He expressed confidence that with the support of the Delhi electorate, the AAP can replicate and even surpass this success in the national capital.

The upcoming elections, scheduled for February 5th, with results to be announced on February 8th, will be a crucial test of this ambitious pledge. The AAP is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in power, facing a strong challenge from the BJP.

Beyond his focus on employment, Kejriwal has also unveiled a comprehensive seven-point “middle-class manifesto,” aimed at addressing the concerns of this vital segment of the population.

This manifesto includes demands for a significant increase in the education budget (from 2% to 10%), coupled with regulations on private school fees. He also advocates for subsidies and scholarships for higher education, mirroring the AAP’s commitment to accessible and affordable education.

In the realm of healthcare, Kejriwal calls for a similar increase in the health budget (to 10%) and the removal of taxes on health insurance. Further proposals include raising the income tax exemption limit from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh, removing GST from essential items, and implementing robust retirement and pension plans along with free healthcare for senior citizens in both public and private hospitals.

Finally, he has called for the reinstatement of a 50% railway concession for senior citizens. These proposals, unveiled weeks before the elections, showcase the AAP’s comprehensive approach to addressing the concerns of the middle class and position them for a strong electoral contest.

In a surprising turn of events during the municipal elections in Uttarakhand, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat was unable to cast his vote due to his name being missing from the voters list. Rawat, a prominent figure in the Congress party and a long-time resident of Dehradun, discovered the omission at his local polling station in the Niranjanpur neighborhood, a locality from which he has voted since 2009.

Despite his attempts to address the issue, including lodging a complaint with the State Election Commission, Rawat was informed that a server malfunction prevented any immediate resolution. This incident drew sharp criticism from Rawat, who hinted at political interference. “I should have been more alert… knowing they are involved in adding and removing names from the list,” he commented, alluding to the ruling BJP’s involvement.

The local elections, which include voting for 11 municipal corporations, 43 municipal councils, and 46 Nagar Panchayats, are crucial for both major political parties. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, representing the BJP, urged voters to support his party, linking their success to the broader national leadership of Narendra Modi and promoting the concept of a “triple-engine government.”

This electoral hiccup has cast a shadow over the democratic process in Uttarakhand, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral rolls used in these pivotal local elections.