Joint Declaration of Heads of the Migration Authorities of BRICS countries

In a big diplomatic news, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju led the Indian a delegation to the first BRICS Ministerial meeting on Migration held in Sochi, Russia. After detailed deliberations, a joint declaration was issued, which is a major milestone so far as orderly and legal migration amongst BRICS countries is concerned. Following is the Text of the Joint declaration:

“We, the Heads of the Migration Authorities from the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of South Africa, guided by the Ufa Declaration and the commitment to respect human rights included in that declaration:

1) Affirm the interest of BRICS countries in exchanging views and sharing experience on migration issues;
2) Acknowledge the interrelationship between transnational migration and development and the need to deal with the opportunities and challenges that migration presents and take advantage of its positive impacts;
3) Reaffirm the openness of the BRICS to deepen collaboration with other countries, international and regional organizations, based on principle of equality and mutual respect for discussing and addressing the issue of international migration including the facilitation of safe and orderly migration;
4) Acknowledge the impact of migration to the social and economic development and demographic situation in the BRICS countries;
5) Express the interest of BRICS countries in sharing best practices in the development and implementation of national migration policies or procedures;
6) Acknowledge the relevance of cooperation in the field of migration in the BRICS space;
7) Recognize the importance of promoting the mobility of skilled workers in the space of the BRICS countries;
8) Reiterate the commitment to combat and prevent organized criminal human trafficking and migrant smuggling;
9) Welcome strengthening of the dialogue and cooperation in the field of migration, including migration policies, procedures and strategies as well as working meetings of representatives of the migration authorities of the BRICS countries;

Confirm our commitment to strengthen our partnership for our common development and to this end adopt this Joint Declaration, which is open for other countries to join”.

It is believed that this joint declaration will go a long way in smoothening the flow of people and would enrich social, culture and economic ties. The members also resolved to combat and prevent transnational organized crime in line with the Ufa declaration. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and other International bodies on migration.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Ministerial meeting on Migration, Shri Rijiju held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Konstantin Romodanovsky, Minister and head of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, yesterday. In this meeting various issues were raised including simplification of work permits and issue of temporary resident permits to Indian nationals. Russian Minister was forthcoming and promised to look into the issues on priority. He also invited the Indian side to visit and see the existing system regarding immigration and migration followed in Russia.