U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday, focusing on concerns related to "irregular migration," according to a statement from the State Department. The meeting comes as the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump takes a hardline stance on illegal immigration.

President Trump, who assumed office on Monday, has issued a series of executive orders aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration and advancing his campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Immigration was a key issue during Trump’s election campaign.

India, Bloomberg reported, is prepared to cooperate with the Trump administration to identify and repatriate Indian citizens residing illegally in the U.S. The two nations have identified approximately 18,000 such migrants.

"Secretary Rubio also emphasized the Trump administration's desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration," the State Department said in a statement.

While addressing migration issues, India underscored the importance of skilled professionals' mobility in strengthening bilateral ties. The H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled foreign professionals to work in the U.S., remains a contentious issue. India accounts for about 78% of the H-1B visas issued by the U.S. in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.

President Trump voiced support for the program, which has faced opposition from some of his backers. Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of the visa program, vowed to "go to war" to defend it, influencing Trump’s stance.

The ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and India reflects a broader effort to balance stricter immigration enforcement with maintaining robust economic ties, particularly in sectors reliant on skilled Indian professionals.