Colombo Process 2024: India to expand membership, improvise financial stability of bloc as chairman for two years

India chaired its inaugural meeting as the Chair of the Colombo Process at the Permanent Representative Level Meeting held in the International Organisation of Migration in Geneva, Switzerland.  Mukesh Pardeshi, the Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs) of the Ministry of External Affairs, delivered a special address as the incoming Chair-in-Office.

In his address, the Pardeshi reiterated India’s commitment to advance the objectives of the Colombo Process and enhancing collaboration among member states. According to a press release from the MEA, India presented an action plan for the next two years. The MEA’s press release outlined India’s priorities for the Colombo Process from 2024 to 2026 which include the following.

Firstly, India will review the financial sustainability of the Colombo Process followed by broadening the membership to include new member states and observers. Thirdly, it will reconfigure technical level collaborations. Fourth, it will implement a structured rotation for the chairmanship, followed by conducting a regional review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Lastly, it will engage in dialogues with the Abu-Dhabi Dialogue and other regional processes.

India’s Permanent Mission at the United Nations in Geneva posted on X, “Indian leadership for safe, orderly, legal migration, Secretary CPVOIA presents India’s vision and priorities in the first Colombo Process meeting after India became its chair. We thank all member states for endorsing India’s plan to revitalise the process and UN migration for Secretariat support.”

The Colombo Process is a regional consultative process comprising twelve member states from Asia, primarily serving as countries of origin for migrant workers. The forum facilitates the exchange of best practises on managing overseas employment. The IOM hosts the Secretariat of the Colombo Process at its headquarters in Geneva. It comprises 12 South Asian and Southeast Asian labour origin countries.

The 12 member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The founding states include Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In May 2024, India assumed the chairmanship of the Colombo process for the first time since its inception for two years (2024-26). The Colombo Process plays a pivotal role in enhancing regional cooperation on migration issues. With India’s leadership, there is renewed commitment to engaging all member states actively, improving migration governance and fostering safe, orderly and regular migration for organised overseas employment.