It looks like India is stepping up to the plate in a move that signals pragmatism, self-interest, and a recognition of the changing winds in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. With the Trump administration continuing its hardline stance on illegal immigration, India has agreed to cooperate with efforts to repatriate at least 18,000 of its citizens currently living in the United States illegally.
And make no mistake—this isn’t just about goodwill. It’s a calculated move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to maintain favor with Washington while protecting legal immigration channels that are critical to India’s economic and geopolitical interests.
The numbers speak volumes. India is a dominant player in U.S. immigration, particularly in the H-1B visa program, which accounted for three-quarters of the 386,000 visas issued in 2023. That’s an enormous pipeline of skilled workers—many in tech and engineering—that India wants to keep flowing. By cooperating on illegal immigration, Modi is ensuring that India remains in good standing with the U.S., particularly as Trump continues to put economic and immigration pressures on countries that fail to align with American interests.
This isn’t just about immigration, though. It’s about geopolitics, economics, and, let’s face it, survival in a global landscape that’s growing more unpredictable by the day. Trump has made it abundantly clear that he’s not playing around with countries that challenge U.S. dominance. His pointed remarks about the BRICS coalition—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—attempting to move away from the U.S. dollar weren’t just rhetoric. They were a warning shot across the bow. Trump’s threat of “100% tariffs” on any country that dares to undermine the dollar was a signal to nations like India that cozying up to anti-American alliances comes with a steep price.
India, already facing significant economic pressures at home—including a job shortage—can’t afford to alienate the U.S. Not only does the U.S. provide a critical market for Indian exports, but it also serves as a top destination for Indian students and skilled workers. Modi’s government is savvy enough to know that staying in Trump’s good graces could preserve these essential avenues for legal migration and economic partnership.
Let’s not forget that India has been aggressively pursuing migration agreements with other nations as well, including Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. These agreements are part of Modi’s broader strategy to create opportunities for Indians abroad while addressing domestic economic challenges. By demonstrating its willingness to cooperate with Trump’s administration, India is also sending a message to its other international partners: it’s a reliable and pragmatic ally that understands the give-and-take of global diplomacy.
Of course, the repatriation effort isn’t without its challenges. While 18,000 illegal immigrants have already been identified by U.S. authorities, the total number of Indian nationals residing illegally in the U.S. is likely much higher. Verifying these individuals’ statuses and organizing their return will require significant bureaucratic coordination. But Modi’s government seems willing to invest the effort, seeing it as a small price to pay for maintaining strong ties with Washington.
Interestingly, this cooperation comes at a time when India is trying to balance its relationships with competing global powers. On one hand, Modi has cultivated closer ties with the U.S., particularly under Trump, who has praised India as a strategic partner in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. On the other hand, India remains a key player in the BRICS coalition and has been exploring economic partnerships with countries like Russia and Iran. Walking this tightrope requires careful diplomacy, and agreeing to U.S. demands on illegal immigration is a smart move to keep things stable on the American front.
The repatriation effort also highlights a broader theme in Trump’s immigration policy: accountability. Unlike the open-border policies of previous administrations, Trump is making it clear that countries must take responsibility for their citizens and respect U.S. immigration laws—or face consequences. Whether it’s Mexico, China, or India, the message is the same: cooperate, or prepare for tariffs and other economic penalties.