New Delhi, December 3 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined progress over the past decade in expanding mobility for Indian workers and professionals, and explained why India will play an increasing role in the global talent market.
Speaking at the India’s World Annual Conclave 2025, Jaishankar pointed to India’s demographic weight — one-sixth of the world’s population and roughly one-quarter of the global younger working-age cohort — as a key factor boosting the country’s relevance to international labour markets.
He argued that global discussions often emphasize trade while neglecting movement of people, and identified three pillars that shape mobility: demography, competitiveness and societal attitudes toward work. He also highlighted the economic impact of migration, noting remittances to India last year reached USD 135 billion, about twice India’s exports to the United States, and urged policymakers to recognise the assets Indians have built abroad.
Jaishankar warned that unmanaged mobility can create political and security challenges in destination countries. He stressed the need for legal, formal migration channels, saying legal mobility brings benefits while irregular movement can attract trafficking, crime and even political or separatist agendas.
A robust mobility framework, he said, should deliver three outcomes: stronger skillsets among mobile workers, clear formal arrangements governing movement, and measures that give migrants the confidence to compete in global workplaces.
Reviewing concrete achievements, Jaishankar noted a major expansion of passport access: about 77 passport outlets existed a decade ago; the government added 468 locations in the last ten years, widening entry points for international mobility. Diplomacy has also advanced mobility arrangements — India now has 21 intergovernmental agreements specifically addressing mobility, with mobility provisions included in some pre-trade pacts, adding a new dimension to bilateral ties.
The remarks were delivered at the Mobility Imperative Conference, which convenes discussions on global developments in mobility.
