New Delhi witnessed a significant step forward in India’s migration policy landscape as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organized a national consultation meeting on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). Held on February 9 in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), the event marks a crucial preparation for the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) scheduled for May 2026.
The MEA issued a detailed statement highlighting the gathering’s importance. Key figures graced the inaugural session, including CPV and OIA Secretary Shree Priya Ranganathan, UN Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner, Additional Secretary Prashant Pise from the Foreigners Division, and IOM India Chief of Mission Sanjay Awasthi. Their presence underscored the high-level commitment to addressing migration challenges.
Diverse stakeholders converged for the discussions, representing central and state government ministries, international bodies, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Conversations delved into India’s initiatives, experiences, and emerging priorities in regular migration pathways.
The consultations revolved around three pivotal themes: ensuring voluntary, safe, orderly, and regular migration; strengthening protection, integration, and sustainable development outcomes for migrants; and promoting value-based, evidence-driven policymaking alongside international cooperation on migration.
Spotlight fell on India’s aligned efforts with GCM objectives, such as fair and ethical recruitment practices, easing regular migration channels, migrant welfare and grievance redressal, skills mapping for returnees, community engagement of diaspora, and data-supported policy frameworks.
India endorsed the GCM in 2018 and participated actively in the inaugural IMRF in 2022. The event also featured the launch of the Prayas Mapping Report, a joint MEA-IOM-ICWA initiative. This report zeroes in on skilled youth and students’ migration, empowering them to seize global opportunities securely and effectively.
As global migration pressures mount, this proactive consultation signals India’s leadership in fostering humane and structured international mobility.