On Thursday, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced that New Delhi is in active discussions with the United States to ensure the humane treatment of Indian immigrants during deportation, following protests over the handling of deportees this week.

A U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 deportees arrived in Amritsar, a city in Punjab, India, on Wednesday. This deportation was a part of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The incident, which occurred just a week before Trump is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, has sparked political debate in India, with opposition parties calling for a parliamentary discussion regarding the treatment of the deportees.

Jaishankar clarified in parliament that the deportation procedure, including the use of restraints on deported individuals, was not new. However, he emphasized that women and children among the deportees were not restrained. He also highlighted that India must focus on addressing the illegal migration industry. “All countries are obliged to take back their nationals found to be living illegally abroad,” he said, noting that the deportation of Indian nationals has been occurring consistently for years.

India is actively engaging with the U.S. government to ensure that deportees are treated respectfully throughout the process, Jaishankar stated.

According to reports from The Times of India and The Indian Express, some deportees, excluding children, were reportedly handcuffed during the flight. Unnamed officials in Punjab, who spoke to the deportees, provided these details. After arriving in Amritsar, the deportees were subjected to extensive checks before being transported in police vehicles in small groups.

U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Michael Banks confirmed that the deportees were returned to India in what he described as “the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport.” A video posted by Banks depicted individuals being escorted onto the aircraft in restraints. Banks reiterated the U.S. commitment to removing illegal immigrants: “If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”

The deportation has raised concerns among opposition lawmakers in India. Gaurav Gogoi, a member of the Congress party, expressed his alarm over reports of shackling and degrading treatment during the deportation process. He called for clarification from the government regarding the situation. Another Congress lawmaker, Manickam Tagore, also urged Jaishankar to make an immediate statement in parliament on the matter.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi responded, emphasizing that enforcing immigration laws is vital for the safety and security of the United States. “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute immigration laws against inadmissible and removable aliens,” the spokesperson added.

Migration has been a significant topic of discussion between India and the U.S. since the beginning of Trump’s administration and is expected to be a key focus during Trump’s upcoming meeting with Modi. While Indian immigrants have been deported under previous U.S. administrations, this marks the first instance of a military aircraft being used for such deportations.

The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, and both countries are strengthening their strategic alliance, particularly in response to growing concerns over China. Additionally, India is keen to collaborate with the U.S. on facilitating easier access for skilled workers’ visas for its citizens.