Speaking at the inauguration of the Human Mobility Partnership Forum in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India would focus on strengthening the implementation of existing mobility agreements so that both countries benefit from them.
India has signed 28 Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs), or equivalent arrangements, with 26 countries, while negotiations with several other nations are underway.
Jaishankar said cross-border movement of skilled workers has become increasingly important as demographic changes, technological advances and the green transition reshape labour markets across the world.
He said artificial intelligence, automation, digitalisation and the shift towards green technologies are changing skill requirements, while traditional sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction and agriculture continue to face demand for workers.
He noted that while global economic engagement has traditionally centred on trade, investment and the movement of goods and capital, human capital has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, with countries increasingly seeking access to skilled talent to support productivity and innovation.
Jaishankar said India’s mobility partnerships go beyond facilitating overseas employment and are aimed at strengthening long-term international cooperation based on mutual benefit and shared responsibility.
He also stressed the need to ensure safe, orderly and legal migration, while calling for greater international cooperation to tackle illegal migration, human trafficking, fraudulent recruitment practices and other forms of worker exploitation.
The minister also called for wider recognition of professional qualifications and skills across countries to make it easier for workers to access overseas opportunities.
India launched the eMigrate 2.0 platform two years ago to facilitate safer and more transparent overseas migration. Since its launch, more than 50 lakh emigration clearances have been issued through the platform.
According to a reply submitted by the Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament in August 2023, around 1.3 crore Indians were living abroad, including workers, professionals and experts. The largest Indian diaspora populations were in the UAE (35.54 lakh), Saudi Arabia (22.19 lakh), Kuwait (8.29 lakh), Qatar (8 lakh) and Oman (5.3 lakh).
