India Engages with US on Deportee Treatment & Repatriation

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not engaged the Indian Air Force or chartered flights for repatriating immigrants since 2020. Instead, some Indian immigrants have returned on commercial flights. The MEA remains involved with the US to ensure humane treatment of deportees, focusing on religious and dietary accommodations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that no Indian Air Force, chartered, or commercial aircraft have been utilized for the repatriation of immigrants since 2020, according to a recent governmental update to Parliament.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, responded to a Rajya Sabha inquiry by stating that Indian nationals deported since 2020 have primarily returned via commercially purchased tickets. Exceptions exist where military flights were used, such as the recent deportation of 333 nationals from the US.

In a commitment to humane deportations, the MEA is in ongoing discussions with US authorities to address religious and dietary needs of deportees, confirming that concerns regarding religious head coverings and meal preferences are being addressed during deportation processes.

(With inputs from agencies.)