Better our 'Ease of Moving Countries'

Migration is as old as humanity itself. Yet, there's no universally accepted definition of the term 'migrant'. Interestingly, while WEF notes that most migrations have been orderly, a more comprehensive approach is needed as migration has reached unprecedented levels. Since June 2024, the US department of homeland security has removed or returned over 1.6 lakh individuals to over 145 countries, including India. The number of Indians seeking asylum in the US has reportedly surged, rising by 854% in three years, from 4,330 applicants in FY21 to 41,330 in FY23.

Migration has always been a major driver of development and prosperity. WEF data shows global remittances to low- and middle-income countries stand at $670 bn, surpassing FDI. With 90% of the world's 1.8 bn 10-24-yr-olds in developing countries, and ageing populations in countries like Japan, South Korea and Italy, migration offers a clear win-win solution for both ends. To harness these benefits, cooperation between both home and host countries is essential, whether it's India and the US, India and Bangladesh, or any others.

Countries like India should engage with developed nations to strengthen legal migration pathways, pointing unskilled semi-skilled to countries that need them, rather than countries hostile to them. At the same time, it must ensure a rules-based order and 'ease of living' here for those seeking a different country for protection and/or economic betterment. Expanding regular migration pathways offers multiple advantages, such as building public confidence in safe, orderly migration, easing the strain on asylum systems, and better aligning migrant skills with needs of destination countries. This model benefits migrants, home countries and host nations.