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

India assumed the chair of the Colombo Process for the first time in May this year. In his address, Pardeshi highlighted India’s commitment to advancing the objectives of the Colombo Process and strengthening collaboration among member states. An outline of an action plan for the next two years was presented, focusing on key priorities such as financial sustainability, broadening membership, technical collaborations, a structured rotation for the chairmanship, conducting a regional review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), and engaging in dialogues with the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) and other regional processes.

The Colombo Process, a regional consultative initiative comprising 12 member states from Asia, primarily serves as a forum for countries of origin for migrant workers to exchange best practices on managing overseas employment. The Secretariat of the Colombo Process is hosted by IOM in Geneva.

In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The Process continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing regional cooperation on migration issues, and with India’s leading role, there is a renewed commitment to engaging all member states actively, improving migration governance, and fostering safe, orderly, and regular migration for organized overseas employment."