US identifies 487 Indians for deportation, shares details of 298 with New Delhi

The United States has informed India that up to 487 presumed Indian citizens have received "final removal orders," with identifying details supplied to New Delhi for 298 individuals, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Friday.

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Misri's remarks came during a special briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the US. His comments follow recent controversy over the deportation of 104 illegal Indian immigrants by the US, which has sparked concern in India.

Addressing a query on whether India had formally protested the deportations, Misri stated, "Yes, we have been in touch with US authorities on this issue on a continuing basis, and we have registered our concern with them on this matter."

Misri was also questioned about reports that many of the deportees were handcuffed onboard the US military aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster, which landed in Amritsar on Wednesday.

“This particular deportation that happened day before yesterday was somewhat different as compared to the earlier ones that have taken place for many, many years, as you would be aware of. This was slightly different in nature because, in the US system itself, it was described as a ‘national security operation.’ And that is perhaps one of the reasons why a military aircraft was used,” Misri explained.