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MEA said it is verifying whether the individuals involved are Indian citizens, following reports of Indian nationals allegedly being deported to Panama from the US
Notably, after the first batch of illegal Indian immigrants were deported from the US on February 5. (PTI photo photo)
India on Friday said that no women or children were restrained on flights that landed on February 15 and 16 after the central government raised concerns with the United States over the deportation process.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made these remarks during the weekly briefing.
Addressing reports on Indian nationals being deported to Panama and Costa Rica from the US, Jaiswal stated that these operations are part of a “bridge arrangement” between the American and the respective governments.
“Both Costa Rica and Panama have agreed to serve as transit countries for deportees while the US bears all operational costs. We understand that some Indian nationals are among them,” he noted.
Watch: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have seen reports about deportation flights to Panama and Costa Rica. It is our understanding that these have been undertaken as part of a bridge arrangement between the US and the respective governments. Both Costa Rica and… pic.twitter.com/cAfXSXNXua— IANS (@ians_india) February 21, 2025
The MEA spokesperson also confirmed that India is in the process of verifying whether the individuals involved are indeed Indian nationals.
“Our mission in Panama, which is also accredited to Costa Rica, is in touch with local authorities. In the case of Panama, we are verifying whether the individuals concerned are Indian nationals,” he added.
Once the verification is completed, arrangements will be made for their return to India, Jaiswal assured.
The MEA’s response comes a day after Panama informed India about the safe arrival of a group of Indian nationals deported from the US.
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The Embassy of India in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua had shared this information on X, though it did not specify the exact number of Indians who arrived in Panama on Thursday.
The group of Indians is part of a larger group of 299 migrants deported to Panama by the US government. These individuals arrived in Panama on three separate flights last week, following an agreement with President Jose Raul Mulino. Under this arrangement, Panama has agreed to serve as a “bridge” country for deportees.
The Trump administration has pledged to deport millions of people who entered the US illegally.
(With inputs from agencies)