International Migration Review Forum (17- 20 May, 2022)

Policy Debate

India Statement

by

Dr. Surabhi Singh, Chief Administrative Office, India Centre for Migration

Mainstreaming national policies and measures, that further the spirit of GCM, is an important objective of the state parties. India acknowledges the importance of the GCM principles, as a strong driving force, to promote efficient migration management and ensuring migrants’ welfare. Even prior to the formalisation of the GCM, Indian state practice has been consistently dedicated towards promoting safe, orderly and regular migration.

We acknowledge that migration directly impacts sustainability in environmental, social, and economic dimensions, and that it is vital that sustainable development policies incorporate migration. In consonance with objective 23, we deeply acknowledge the prominence of international cooperation in policy initiatives for improving migration governance and to also respond to the new challenges in this ever-evolving world. The challenges posed by the pandemic has reinforced the need for greater collaboration with each other.

India has taken a range of initiatives that are already consistent with the objectives of the GCM.

Objective 1- India realizes the need for reliable data and its importance in formulating evidence-based migration policies.

Objective 3- We are cognizant that information dissemination plays a key role in ensuring migrant welfare and more efforts will be needed to ensure the percolation of information to the migrants and helping them making an informed decision.

Objective 5, 6& 7- We have taken a range of measures to create more legal pathways for migrants through entering into institutional agreements with different countries, digitization of recruitment services and address the vulnerabilities of migrants. To ensure their welfare we have introduced low-cost comprehensive insurance scheme and have provided enhance access to consular services.

Objective 19-We also acknowledge the role played by diaspora in creating avenues for growth and development in both origin and destination countries and India is committed to deepening its engagement with its diaspora through various initiatives.

Going forward, we aim to collaborate and cooperate with more partner countries in finding ways to refine policy standards to keep up with the evolving landscapes and technology to positively impact migration governance worldwide. We acknowledge and support the importance of advancing the GCM objectives through a whole of government and a whole of society approach and in this regard considers this platform relevant for an informed debate and for building consensus on potential challenges and the approaches required to promote international cooperation in the field of migration.

Through this platform , India reaffirms its commitment to continued association with member states and various other stakeholders to further our shared objective of ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Thank You