Jaishankar meets Modi amid uproar over deportation of 104 Indians
What's the story
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to discuss the recent deportation of 104 Indians from the United States.
The meeting comes amid a storm of political unrest over the treatment of these deportees.
Jaishankar is likely to address the issue in Parliament with a statement planned for the Rajya Sabha.
Political backlash
Deportees' treatment sparks political unrest
The 104 Indians, who had illegally entered the US, were deported on a US military aircraft which landed in Amritsar on February 5. This comes as part of the Donald Trump administration's crackdown against illegal immigrants.
The Congress party has also moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on what it termed "deeply distressing and humiliating" conditions during deportation.
Treatment criticized
Deportees' inhumane treatment under scrutiny
Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi stressed that reports suggested these people were shackled during their journey, which raised questions on their human dignity.
Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari called the treatment meted out to deportees "inhuman," and said they were handcuffed and shackled for 40 hours without basic facilities like toilets.
He asked how diplomatic engagements with President Trump would help if such treatment couldn't be stopped.
Deportees profiled
Deportees' background and subsequent actions revealed
The deportees included 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
Among them were 19 women and 13 minors, including young children.
On reaching India, they were questioned by various government agencies to ascertain if they had any criminal records.
The US action occurred only days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Washington on February 13 visit for extensive meetings with President Donald Trump.