External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued a sharp warning to the US and European nations over their rising restrictions on immigration and skilled-worker mobility. He warned that such restrictions risk doing more harm than good, leaving these countries as “net losers” in the long run.
Why Jaishankar is Sounding the Alarm?
At a conclave in New Delhi titled “The Mobility Imperative,” Jaishankar addressed growing backlash overseas against immigrant workers. He argued that the real problem doesn’t lie with immigrants, but with long-term policy choices by Western countries themselves.
#WATCH | Delhi: Addressing a question regarding a political, social backlash against too much immigration in various countries, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “A lot of these are issues which they have to resolve because, in many cases, the actual crisis has nothing to do with the… pic.twitter.com/nd921MVTW3
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2025
“If there are concerns … it is because they very consciously and deliberately, over the last two decades, allowed their businesses to relocate,” he said. He added that many of today’s anxieties about immigration stem from labour demand, supply mismatches and economic decisions — not from the mobility of workers.
Mobility of Talent is a Global Necessity: S Jaishankar
Jaishankar emphasised that in a fast-changing global economy, countries need access to talent across borders. He said as economies move toward “advanced manufacturing,” the demand for specialized skills will rise — and no single country can supply all the talent internally.
He urged a shift in mindset: instead of shutting borders, nations should recognise the mutual benefit of a global workforce. “The use of talent across boundaries is to our mutual benefit,” he said.
What the West Risks by Tightening Immigration?
According to S Jaishankar, countries that impose rigid immigration restrictions and visa curbs will pay a price. He said that over-regulation will backfire, depriving economies of critical talent, slowing innovation, and ultimately hurting competitiveness. “They will be net losers if they actually erect too many roadblocks to the flow of talent,” he warned.
He argued that many of the challenges blamed on immigration — economic inequality, social tensions, job scarcity — actually stem from business decisions like relocating manufacturing abroad or automation. Restricting immigration, he said, is a misdiagnosis of the real problem.
India’s Role: Promoting Balanced Global Mobility
For India, Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a strategic vision to champion mobility of talent as a key pillar of global cooperation. With a large, youthful workforce and rising capabilities, India stands poised to be a major supplier of skilled professionals — even as other countries reckon with talent shortages and restrictive migration climates.
He stressed that India will continue to encourage legal mobility, collaboration, and mutual benefit — but also invest in creating opportunities at home so that not all talent migrates out permanently.
Can Global Mobility Survive Rising Nationalism?
Jaishankar’s warning comes at a time when several Western countries are tightening immigration policies, raising visa fees, and curbing foreign skilled labour. The clash reflects a deeper challenge: how to balance national politics and security concerns with global economic realities.
If nations choose to fully close their doors, they risk undermining innovation, growth, and adaptability. As Jaishankar said, “mobility … is to our mutual benefit.” Whether Western countries heed the message remains to be seen — but the risks of turning inward might be higher than they think.
