New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday highlighted the strides made over the past decade in the mobility of Indian talent, from the expansion of passport services to welfare initiatives for Indians abroad, and emphasized how India’s demographic strength is increasingly meeting global workforce needs. He made these remarks at the India’s World Annual Conclave 2025.
Jaishankar noted that India represents one-sixth of the world’s population, and when considering the younger working-age demographic, the country makes up nearly one-fourth of the global workforce. “So, our relevance to the global talent skill market is only going to grow,” he said.
He pointed out that global discussions often center on trade, while the crucial topics of work and mobility remain underexplored. He outlined three key pillars of mobility: demography, competitiveness, and societal attitudes toward work. Citing financial indicators, he noted, “Last year, remittances to India were 135 billion USD — that is twice our exports to the United States.”
Jaishankar urged people to consider the significant economic assets created by Indians abroad and the immense scale of this ecosystem. He also acknowledged the political complexities associated with mobility in receiving countries, noting that unmanaged or illegal mobility leads to a range of criminal activities. “When mobility is legal, when mobility is formal, then it has a lot of benefits. But when it is not, then it is almost a magnet for every kind of bad business to be associated,” he warned. He added that illegal mobility often attracts groups with political or separatist agendas.
He explained that the global mobility market brings three major responsibilities: improving the skillsets of people who move abroad, establishing formal mobility arrangements, and equipping individuals with confidence and assurance to succeed in global workplaces.
Reflecting on achievements of the past decade, Jaishankar emphasized the deep and impactful changes India has made to enhance mobility. “Ten years ago, if you wanted a passport, there were, I think, 77 places in India to which you could attend. Today, in the last 10 years, we have added 468 more such places. Passport access is where international mobility begins,” he said.
He also highlighted the growing importance of intergovernmental agreements on mobility, noting that India now has 21 such agreements, along with mobility provisions in several pre-trade agreements. These, he said, add “a new dimension” to India’s international partnerships.
The Mobility Imperative Conference aims to foster dialogue on global developments in mobility and its expanding influence on economies and societies worldwide. (ANI)
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