NRIs remitted $235 billion to India in 3-1/2 years: minister

Non-resident Indians poured $235 billion in remittances to the country in the last three-and-a-half years - between 2013-14 and 2016-17 - as per government data.

India received $69.64 billion in NRI remittances in 2013-14, while the figure was $68.82 billion in 2014-15 and $65.60 billion in 2015-16. The volume of remittances in the first six months of the current fiscal stood at $30.43 billion, minister of state for external affairs V K Singh informed Parliament today.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, the minister put the figure of overseas Indians at 30.8 million who are spread over 208 countries.

On the effects of the crackdown on illegal immigrants by the Trump administration, Singh said the government was aware about the Executive Order issued by the US President, adding it will do everything possible to safeguard interests of Indians and their welfare. He said India remained vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians in the US.

''The government has taken up with the US government the matter of welfare of Indian Diaspora in the US. Our Embassy and Consulates in the US are in continuous dialogue with the US authorities and local Indian community groups to address any emergent issues relating to Indian diaspora,'' he said.

Singh said India does not encourage illegal migration of Indian citizens into other countries.

To a separate question, he said there is no authoritative figure available about the number of Indians working in various cities in the US and whether they have valid visa. However, he said estimated number of overseas Indian in that country is 44.6 lakh which includes 12.80 lakh NRIs and 31.80 lakh Persons of Indian Origin.

However, he said 576 Indians who were found to not have proper documents have been issued travel documents for their return to India since 2014.

Replying to another query, Singh said a total of 1.65 lakh Indian students were studying in the US in 2015-16 while a total of 18,320 Indian students were enrolled in educational institutions in the UK in 2014-15. He said the issue of declining Indian students in the UK has been taken up with the authorities of that country.