India's New Immigration Bill: Balancing Welcome with Vigilance

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announces the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, emphasizing India's open arms for business and education while warning against security threats. The bill aims to bolster India's security, ensure proper monitoring of foreigners, and impose penalties for fake documents, fostering global recognition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the Lok Sabha, emphasized an open-door policy for legitimate foreigners visiting for business and education, through the new Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025. However, he warned against those posing security threats, stating that India is not a 'dharamshala.'

During the debate, Shah highlighted crucial provisions of the bill, including stringent penalties for those using fraudulent documents to enter India. He stressed the importance of monitoring foreign visitors, asserting that the bill is essential for enhancing national security and promoting India's economic growth and global educational repute.

The bill also faced opposition from party members raising concerns about arbitrary powers for immigration authorities. Despite this, the bill passed by voice vote, with Shah addressing the need for better scrutiny and border security amid criticisms of past political leniencies towards infiltrators.

(With inputs from agencies.)