Will take back verified citizens': India says 'against illegal immigration in US'

LOOKING FOR BOLDER, BIGGER AND MORE AMBITIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH US: INDIA

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Amid the US crackdown on illegal immigration under the new Trump administration, India on Friday clarified that New Delhi too opposes illegal immigration, particularly because it is linked to several forms of organised crime.

India also expressed its desire for a "bolder, bigger, and more ambitious" relationship with the US and indicated its readiness to collaborate with the Trump administration to address any related issues.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Indian nationals who are overstaying anywhere in the world, not just in the US, without proper documentation, will be taken back if they can prove their Indian citizenship. "If that happens to be the case, we will take things forward and facilitate their return to India," he added.

The spokesperson said, "We are against illegal immigration, especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime-not just in the United States, but anywhere."

When asked about the number of people India would take back from the US, he said any such discussion on numbers is "premature."