<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>On <strong>May 8, 2026</strong>, <strong>Kirti Vardhan Singh</strong>, Minister of State for External Affairs, met the Director General of <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Organisation for Migration — a UN‑affiliated intergovernmental body that promotes humane and orderly migration, providing assistance and managing migration flows worldwide (GS2: Polity)">International Organisation for Migration (IOM)</span> to discuss ways to broaden regular migration channels for India. The talks were held on the sidelines of the second <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Migration Review Forum — a high‑level platform under the Global Compact for Migration where member states review implementation and chart future actions (GS2: Polity)">International Migration Review Forum (IMRF)</span> of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Global Compact for Migration — a United Nations agreement that seeks to manage migration in a safe, orderly and regular manner (GS2: Polity)">Global Compact for Migration (GCM)</span>, currently taking place at the United Nations headquarters.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Discussion on expanding and diversifying regular migration pathways, reflecting India’s proactive stance on GCM implementation.</li>
<li>Engagement with <strong>Lena Metlege Diab</strong>, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, focusing on the Canada‑India Migration Initiative and skilled‑workforce mobility.</li>
<li>Meeting with <strong>Antonio Guterres</strong>, UN Secretary General, described by the minister as “productive”.</li>
<li>Delivery of India’s national statement at the IMRF plenary and a side‑event titled “<span class="key-term" data-definition="e‑Migrate Experience — India’s digital platform that uses technology to streamline migration governance, visa processing and data sharing (GS3: Economy)">Leveraging Digital Innovation in Migration Governance‑The e‑Migrate Experience of India</span>”.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>The delegation, led by <strong>Kirti Vardhan Singh</strong>, arrived in New York on <strong>May 3, 2026</strong>, and will participate in the IMRF from <strong>May 4‑8, 2026</strong>. IOM, established in 1951, remains the principal UN‑related agency dealing with migration, offering humanitarian aid, managing flows and supporting displaced populations globally.</p>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>Understanding the role of <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Organisation for Migration — a UN‑affiliated intergovernmental body that promotes humane and orderly migration, providing assistance and managing migration flows worldwide (GS2: Polity)">IOM</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Global Compact for Migration — a United Nations agreement that seeks to manage migration in a safe, orderly and regular manner (GS2: Polity)">GCM</span> is essential for GS‑2 (International Relations) as they illustrate India’s mu
Loading page, please wait…