External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has cautioned that strict restrictions on skilled worker mobility could backfire on countries that impose them. Speaking at a global mobility conclave, he said nations that block cross-border movement of talent risk becoming “net losers.” His remarks come as countries debate tighter immigration laws and tougher H-1B visa rules.
Jaishankar highlighted that in an era of rising advanced manufacturing and global tech demand, domestic labour alone is not enough. Countries need access to global talent to stay competitive. He argued that the real economic problems of the US and Europe stem not from immigration, but from relocating manufacturing abroad over the past decades.
He urged Western nations to see immigration as a mutual benefit. Skilled professionals contribute to innovation, growth, and global collaboration; restricting them would weaken competitiveness. He also noted that many opposition voices come from political constituencies wary of foreign workers — not from business or technology leaders who value mobility.
In short: India’s foreign minister warns that closing borders to talent won’t solve labour issues. Instead, open, fair immigration and global workforce mobility are vital for growth in a globalised economy.
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