'Open to legitimate return of Indians illegally staying in the US': Jaishankar

Addressing a press conference in Washington, Jaishankar said, "We have always taken the view that if there are any of our citizens, who are not here legally, if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. So it's not a position unique to the US."

"I understand right now that there is a certain debate going on and a resulting sensitivity which is there. But we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it, and that remains our position, and I conveyed that very clearly to US State Secretary Marco Rubio."

Touching upon Trump's advocacy of hiring "competent people" under the H-1B visa programme, Jaishankar said his country believes in "legal mobility" and "global workspace".

The Indian minister said, " As a government, we obviously are very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at a global level."

"At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration. because you also know that when something illegal happens, many other illegal activities get joined into it... this is not desirable. It's certainly not reputationally good... So we have with every country, and the US is no exception," he said.

Jaishankar's remark comes after Trump, who returned to power with a massive mandate in November 5 last year elections, said in his inaugural address as the president, "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."

Soon after taking charge as the 47th US president on Monday, Trump signed an executive order to do away with birthright citizenship in the country.

If set in motion, the order will end the automatic citizenship of children born in the US to non-citizen parents.

The executive order signed by Trump specified that a child born in the USA will be granted citizenship if at least one parent must be a US citizen, a legal permanent resident (green card holder), or a member of the US military.

On the H-1B visa programme,  Trump on Tuesday said he doesn't intend to stop H-1B visas but batted in favour of hiring competent people across all industries.

The president said, "I like both sides of the argument, but I also like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping other people that may not have the qualifications they do. I don't want to stop.

"We want competent people coming into our country. And H-1B, I know the programme very well. I use the programme. Maître d', wine experts, even waiters, high-quality waiters, you've got to get the best people. People like Larry, he needs engineers, NASA also needs... engineers like nobody's ever needed them."

"So, we have to have quality people coming in. Now by doing that, we're expanding businesses and that takes care of everybody," Trump added speaking at a press conference.

Jaishankar Wednesday said that it is clear that the Donald Trump administration clearly prioritises bilateral relations with India as he described the special treatment extended to him during the inaugural ceremony.

"It is very clear that the Trump administration is prioritising the bilateral relationship with India," Jaishankar said during a press conference at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday held his inaugural bilateral meeting with India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar after taking charge.

Jaishankar was also given a front row seat at the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump as the US president.