India Leads First Colombo Process Meeting in Geneva
On June 29, India chaired its first meeting as the Chair of the Colombo Process at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary of Consular, Passport, Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs at the Ministry of External Affairs, delivered a special address as the new Chair-in-Office.
India took on this role for the first time in May this year. Pardeshi emphasized India’s dedication to advancing the goals of the Colombo Process and enhancing cooperation among member states. India also presented a two-year action plan focusing on key priorities and initiatives.
India’s Priorities for 2024-2026
- Reviewing the financial sustainability of the Colombo Process
- Broadening membership by including new member states and observers
- Reconfiguring technical-level collaborations
- Implementing a structured rotation for the chairmanship
- Conducting a regional review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM)
- Engaging in dialogues with the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) and other regional processes
India’s Permanent Mission at the UN in Geneva expressed gratitude to all member states for supporting India’s plan to revitalize the Colombo Process. The Colombo Process is a regional consultative forum of 12 Asian countries that primarily serve as countries of origin for migrant workers. It aims to share best practices for managing overseas employment.
The Secretariat of the Colombo Process is hosted by the IOM in Geneva. The forum continues to play a crucial role in enhancing regional cooperation on migration issues. With India’s leadership, there is a renewed commitment to engaging all member states, improving migration governance, and fostering safe, orderly, and regular migration for organized overseas employment.
