Joint Declaration of the Heads of the Migration Authorities of BRICS nations

Sochi, Russia. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju led the Indian delegation to the first BRICS Ministerial meeting on Migration. 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.

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 finalized the declaration.

The declaration affirmed the interest of BRICS countries in exchanging views and sharing experience on migration issues, acknowledged 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 and  reaffirmed 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.

The group acknowledged the impact of migration to the social and economic development and demographic situation in the BRICS countries, andthe relevance of cooperation in the field of migration in the BRICS space. It expressed the interest of BRICS countries in sharing best practices in the development and implementation of national migration policies or procedures and recognized the importance of promoting the mobility of skilled workers in the space of the BRICS countries

The five nations reiterated the commitment to combat and prevent organized criminal human trafficking and migrant smuggling. They welcomed 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.

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, Kiren Rijiju held a bilateral meeting with Konstantin Romodanovsky, Minister and head of the Federal Migration Service of Russia. 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.