Congress MP Manish Tewari on Friday strongly criticized External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement in the Lok Sabha regarding the deportation of Indian nationals from the US. Tewari accused Jaishankar of defending the use of handcuffs and shackles by the Donald Trump administration, calling it “deeply shocking and acutely disturbing.”
Tewari further asserted that Jaishankar’s statement resembled that of a “mid-level official of the US government” rather than India’s Foreign Minister.
Sharing a post on X, Tewari wrote, “The statement of @DrSJaishankar in the Lok Sabha justifying, defending and endorsing the use of handcuffs and shackles by the @realDonaldTrump administration & @USBPChief is both deeply shocking and acutely disturbing.”
“He unfortunately sounded more like a mid-level official of the American Administration rather than the Foreign Minister of India. This para below in the statement wherein he says he will put American documents on the table of the house and also authenticate them makes one seriously question their intent as to where does the concern of the Government of India lie,” he added.
The Congress MP also pointed out that nations such as Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala had displayed more self-respect in similar situations.
“Does it lie with the humiliating treatment meted out to Indian citizens or with those who handcuffed and shackled them? Even Mexico, Columbia and Guatemala showed more self-respect,” Tewari remarked.
Quoting another statement of EAM Jaishankar, Tewari expressed his discontent: “This para in the statement should shock any self-respecting Indian. ‘I repeat to you, these are procedures in place from 2012, provides for the use of restraints. Sir, I have an American document of 2012 which lays out the restraint procedure. I authenticate it, and I will lay it on the table of the House.'”
Deportation of Indian Nationals from the US
On Wednesday, a US Air Force plane carrying Indian citizens who had “illegally immigrated” to the US arrived in Punjab’s Amritsar. A total of 104 Indian nationals were on board. Opposition parties criticized the government both inside and outside the parliament, claiming that the deportees were transported in an “inhuman manner” aboard a US military aircraft and were “ill-treated and handcuffed.”
On Thursday, Jaishankar responded to the criticism, stating that deportation of Indian nationals from the US is “not a new issue” and that the government is engaging with US authorities to ensure that returning deportees are not mistreated.
The minister, addressing both houses of Parliament, emphasized that enforcement agencies will take preventive and exemplary actions against those involved in illegal immigration.
Jaishankar clarified that it is the obligation of all nations to take back their nationals if they are found residing illegally. He explained that deportations by the US are handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has followed the same standard operating procedures for deportations since 2013. He further asserted that there had been no procedural changes for the flight undertaken by the US on February 5, 2025.
“Deportations by the US are organized and executed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. The standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft used by ICE has been effective since 2012. I repeat, that is effective from 2012 and provides for the use of restraints. However, we have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained. Further, the needs of deportees including during transit, related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies, are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard,” Jaishankar said.
“This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. There has been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedures for the flight undertaken by the US on 5 February 2025. We are engaging the US Government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight. At the same time, the House will appreciate that our focus should be on crackdown, strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry while taking steps to ease visas for the legitimate traveller. On the basis of information provided by returning deportees about the agents and others involved, law enforcement agencies will take necessary preventive and exemplary actions,” he added.