US-Panama Deportation Pact Sends 55 Indians Home

Since January 2025, the US deported 55 Indian nationals back to India via a bilateral agreement with Panama. Coordinated by international bodies, including the International Organization of Migration, these deportations form part of a larger immigration control effort highlighted by President Trump's administration. Panama acted as a transit point in this process.

The Ministry of External Affairs, represented by Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, announced on Thursday that from January 20 onwards, the US has deported 55 Indian nationals. These deportees were flown back to India from Panama under a bilateral arrangement facilitated by the International Organization of Migration (IOM).

Singh emphasized that the deportations exclusively involved transfers from Panama to New Delhi, with the US not deporting any Indian nationals to other nations besides Panama. Each deportee's Indian identity was confirmed, ensuring their safe return. Additionally, a CNN report noted a larger scale deportation of 104 Indians, citing President Trump's intensified immigration policies.

The CNN report highlighted that a C-17 military aircraft flew migrants from various Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, marking a notably lengthy flight. The detained migrants were held in secure conditions in Panama before returning to India, reflecting the Trump administration's efforts to mitigate immigration collaboratively with Latin American countries.

(With inputs from agencies.)