LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636
ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026
VICTIM OF INTERNATIONAL SEX TRAFFICKING
3636. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of the protocol and Standard Operating Procedure followed by the Ministry for providing consular and legal assistance to Indian citizens who are victims of international sex trafficking networks, including coordination with foreign governments and victim compensation schemes;
(b) whether the Ministry has initiated any proactive exercise to identify, contact and support Indian victims of such international networks or similar global cases, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken or proposed to strengthen consular support mechanisms and international cooperation to prevent and respond to such cases involving Indian citizens abroad?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a) to (c) The Ministry is alert to any report or complaint by an aggrieved citizen or their relatives/friends/family members.
The Ministry accords high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and provides consular and legal assistance to victims of human trafficking, particularly victims of international sex trafficking networks.
As and when complaints of human trafficking are received by our Missions/Posts, the matter is promptly taken up for resolution bilaterally through diplomatic channel. Complaints regarding sex trafficking are referred to the Government of the host country for investigation and prosecution under the relevant legal provisions of that country. Law enforcement authorities in India are also informed of such cases and they take action against those involved in misleading Indian nationals into such fraudulent employment schemes/trafficking under relevant provisions of the Indian law. Prompt action is also taken by the Protector of Emigrant offices in India whenever instances of human trafficking are noticed.
Our Missions/Posts issues advisories urging all Indian nationals to exercise due caution while seeking employment opportunities abroad and stay away from falling prey to illegal agencies offering employment opportunities in regions that are prone to human trafficking. The Ministry routinely organizes outreach programs to sensitize various stakeholders about benefits of safe and legal migration and on possible ways of preventing human trafficking through fake or unregistered recruitment agencies. Information about illegal agents is also uploaded and updated on regular basis on the eMigrate Portal.
Ministry also issues advisories, media briefings and tweets about fake job rackets from time to time. Such communications are also issued by concerned Indian Missions/Posts abroad through their websites and social media handles and through the print media. Government of India also raises such issues at political level with the host Governments from time to time.
A list of unregistered agents has been notified on e-Migrate portal. This information is regularly updated based on complaints filed by aggrieved individuals. These complaints are also forwarded to concerned state police authorities for taking suitable action against illegal/fake agents as per existing legal provisions.
Indian Missions/Posts abroad render all possible consular assistance to the Indian nationals, whenever required. Indian nationals can contact the Indian Missions/Posts abroad via walk-ins, email, social media platforms, 24x7 emergency telephone numbers and Toll Free Helplines established by Missions/Posts abroad, grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS etc for redressal of their grievances. The Ministry through Indian Missions/Posts abroad, takes pro- active measures to rescue Indian nationals trapped in foreign countries whenever such cases come to the notice of the Ministry.
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