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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS May 15, 2026 India’s e-Migrate Platform Enhancing Safe Migration Governance: Kirti Vardhan Singh At UN U nion Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Saturday, May 9, highlighted the importance of global mobility and stressed the need for “safe, orderly and regular migration,” while underscoring India’s digital initiatives in migration governance at the United Nations. Addressing the International Migration Review Forum 2026 at the UN headquarters, Singh said the world must collectively work towards managing migration through cooperation and shared responsibility. “It’s a privilege to address this gathering on the margins of the second International Migration Review Forum. We have come together to reflect on one of the most defining features of our time, which is global mo- bility, and also the shared responsibility to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration of our peoples,” he said. Singh said the Indian diaspora, which is spread across more than 200 countries, plays a significant role in strengthening global economic and cultural linkages. “The Indian migration story is both vast and dynamic. We have a diaspora of over 34 million people spread all across the globe, encompassing more than 200 countries. Our global community has served to connect econo- mies, cultures, and ideas through many centuries. Their contributions through remittances, investments, and knowledge exchange continue to play a vital role, not only in India’s development but also in the prosperity of the societies and the countries they have integrated into,” he said. He further said India follows a holistic approach to migration governance, focusing on protection, welfare and empowerment of migrants at every stage. “Over the years, India has adopted a holistic approach to migration governance, one that places the welfare, protection, and empowerment of the immigrants at its core. This approach recognises that migration is not merely a movement of people, but a continuum that spans pre-departure preparation, safe transit, dignified employment, and eventual return and reintegration back into our societies,” Singh added. Highlighting the role of technology, the Minister said digital innovation has transformed migration systems into more transparent and efficient frameworks. “The strategic use of digital innovation is a key pillar of our governance. It has transformed reactive systems into anticipatory, transparent, and inclusive frameworks that serve our citizens more effectively. In this context, India’s e-migrate platform stands out as a pioneering initiative. It provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem which en- hances transparency in recruitment, enables verification of employers and recruitment agents, and ensures the integrity of employment contracts,” he said. He explained that the e-Migrate platform provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem that enables verification of employers, recruitment agencies and employment con- tracts, while also integrating secure documentation and multilingual support. “The platform integrates secure documentation, veri- fies employment offers, incorporates zero-cost digital payment solutions, and offers multilingual 24/7 support. This ensures that the protection and mobility of our mi- grants are facilitated. The platform functions as an end- to-end ecosystem, allowing recruitment either directly by registered foreign employers or registered recruitment agencies. Foreign employers can register on the e-migrate portal to recruit Indian workers in a streamlined and regulated manner. Once they are registered, they can raise their manpower demand online, either through authorised recruitment agents or by applying directly for a permit to recruit,” he said. Singh added that recruitment through the platform is regulated and transparent, with only registered agents allowed to facilitate overseas employment. “Similarly, recruitment agencies can also register on the portal, ensuring that immigration clearance for over- seas recruitment is conducted through a transparent and approved system. A key pillar of this system is the licens- ing and monitoring of recruitment agents. Only authorized registered agents, approved and periodically renewed through the portal, are permitted to facilitate overseas recruitment. This digitally maintained list of authorised recruitment agents is publicly acces- sible on the portal, enhancing transparency and allowing workers to verify agents before engaging with them,” he added. He noted that the system has helped reduce fraudu- lent practices and strengthen safeguards for workers. “This significantly reduces fraudulent practices. Cur- rently, we have 298,000 registered foreign employers and 2,457 active recruitment agents registered on the e-migrate portal. The e-migrate portal has also been integrated with a broader digital ecosystem through its convergence with systems such as national job portals, digital skilling hubs, and secure document repositories. With its multilin- gual interfaces, this platform ensures that migrants are better prepared and better protected throughout their journey,” Singh said. Singh further said the mobile application of the plat- form allows users to track applications, file grievances and access verified information on recruitment agents. “The e-migrate mobile application has also been developed, which allows stakeholders easy access to major services available on the portal. This includes tracking application status, obtaining a list of registered and blacklisted recruitment agents, filing grievances, and other such services. India’s digital public infrastructure reflects a larger vision–one where technology bridges gaps, streamlines access, and brings governance closer to the people,” he said. He added that India’s digital public infrastructure re- flects a broader vision of inclusive governance supported by emerging technologies. “The use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, helps to enhance our ability to deliver per- sonalised services, detect risks, and respond proactively to the needs of our nationals. Our efforts are anchored in inclusivity, accessibility, and trust to ensure that even the most vulnerable migrants can benefit from these systems. Today’s event is an opportunity not only to share India’s experience, but also to learn from the diverse practices of all other member states,” he added. He concluded by stressing the importance of interna- tional cooperation in migration governance. “Migration is inherently transnational, and to un- lock its full potential, its governance must be rooted in cooperation and mutual learning. Through the exchange of knowledge and best practices, we can collectively strengthen systems that uphold dignity, protect rights, and provide safer pathways for our migrants. I look forward to the discussions ahead and to the insights that will emerge from this exchange from all the honourable delegates,” he said. - ANI PHOTO:ANI India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh speaking at UN on May 9, 2026. NATIONAL AFFAIRS Revocation Of U.S. Passports Looms For Americans Owing Child Support Debt -WASHINGTON T he U.S. Department of State an- nounced Thursday that Ameri- cans with significant unpaid child support debt could face passport revocation as part of a broader enforce- ment effort under the Trump administra- tion aimed at strengthening compliance with federal child support laws. In a media note issued May 7, the State Department said it is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “on an unprecedented scale” to identify individuals who owe more than $2,500 in court-ordered child support and revoke their U.S. passports under existing federal law. The department said the initiative is intended to support American families and ensure parents meet both their legal and financial obligations toward their children. “Under President Trump, the Depart- ment of State is using commonsense tools to support American families and strengthen compliance with U.S. laws,” the statement said. Federal law already bars individuals with significant child support arrears from obtaining or renewing a passport. The State Department noted that passports of delinquent individuals may also be revoked, rendering them invalid for inter- national travel. Officials urged Americans with out- standing child support debt to contact the appropriate state child support enforce- ment agencies immediately to arrange payments and avoid losing passport privileges. “Once a passport is revoked, it may no longer be used for travel,” the department stated. According to the announcement, eligibility for a new passport will only be restored after the debt has been resolved and the individual is no longer listed as delinquent in HHS records. The State Department emphasized that the enforcement action is part of the administration’s broader effort to “put American families first” through its pass- port policies and procedures. By a StaffWriter