India pushes for inclusive migration, stronger anti-trafficking laws at United Nations General Assembly

“India is working to create an inclusive, humane and future-proof framework for migration, while addressing the challenges of irregular migration and human trafficking,” Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said in her speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). he said.

“Migration is ultimately about people, their aspirations, their resilience and their contributions,” Mr Singh said at the plenary session of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM)’s second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

“We seek to create an inclusive, humanitarian and future-proof framework while addressing challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking and gaps in social protection,” he said.

India manages migration through a “holistic and pragmatic” framework that focuses on protecting migrants, monitoring every stage of the migration process and enhancing international cooperation, Mr. Singh said.

“As home to one of the world’s largest and most dynamic diasporas with a population of over 34 million and a leading recipient of global remittances, India is a witness to how migration can transform lives, communities and nationalities,” he said.

“India has also signed comprehensive bilateral mobility agreements and memorandums of understanding with 23 countries and is pursuing more to create sustainable pathways for fair and ethical mobility,” he said. “This is key to ensuring migrant well-being through safe and orderly migration routes,” he added.

Consular protection has also been strengthened through the ‘MADAD’ complaint resolution portal and Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs). India’s Passport Seva Online Portal also provides timely and accessible services to Indian citizens abroad and at home.

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“The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has provided emergency relief, legal support and repatriation services to Indian citizens since its inception in 2009,” he said.

“We have strengthened skills development initiatives and expanded pre-departure orientation to equip our immigrants with basic knowledge, including their rights and cultural awareness of the host country,” he added.

Earlier this week, a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India to the USA are among the top 10 international country-to-country migration corridors in 2024.

India has been the world’s top remittance recipient since 2010, receiving $53.48 billion; This amount increased over the years to $68.91 billion in 2015, $83.15 billion in 2020, and $137.67 billion in 2024.