India Criticizes Asylum Seekers for “Slandering” Nation Amid Surge in U.S. Applications

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NEW DELHI – In a forceful response to the surge in asylum applications from Indian nationals, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday accused some individuals seeking refuge abroad of “slandering” India and its societal conditions for “personal gain.” Singh’s statement highlights India’s deep concern over how its global image is being damaged by asylum seekers, particularly those who misrepresent the country’s situation to foreign governments.

This criticism comes as asylum requests from Indian nationals to the United States have spiked dramatically. According to the 2023 Asylees Annual Flow Report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 41,000 Indians applied for asylum in 2022—an astounding 855% increase from 2021. Nearly half of these applications originated from Gujarat. In FY 2023, 5,340 Indians were granted asylum in the U.S., making India the fifth-largest nationality for defensive asylum approvals.

Singh’s comments were made during a parliamentary discussion on external affairs, in response to a question from MP Kapil Sibal. The Minister stressed that India, as a democratic nation, provides ample legal avenues for addressing grievances. However, he argued that those seeking asylum abroad are “slandering” India by presenting a distorted view of its conditions, thus harming the country’s international reputation. Singh’s remarks underscore the government’s determination to protect India’s image on the global stage, particularly in sensitive areas like migration and asylum.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has consistently voiced concerns about the potential misuse of the asylum process. While India supports the right to seek refuge, the government is wary of claims that depict the country in an unfair or exaggeratedly negative light. Such narratives, they argue, could have serious repercussions for India’s diplomatic relations and global standing.

U.S. asylum law requires applicants to demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion. However, the sharp rise in asylum applications from India has raised questions about the underlying motivations behind this trend. The MEA’s statements reflect a broader strategy to safeguard India’s reputation and ensure that the narratives presented to foreign governments are consistent with the country’s values and interests.