New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India's stance on illegal immigration, stating that individuals residing unlawfully in any country do not have the right to stay there. Responding to a query, he emphasised that this issue is not limited to India but affects other nations as well.

"This question is not just for India, but for those who live in other countries illegally; they don't have a right to stay there," PM Modi said.

He further reiterated that India is willing to take back its citizens who have entered the United States illegally. "We have always said that India is ready to take back its citizens who are living in the US illegally. However, these people belong to normal families and are often misled and taken there," he said.

Calling for stricter measures, the Prime Minister underscored the need to dismantle the networks responsible for illegal migration. "That's why we need to take action against this entire ecosystem," he added.

He was speaking at a joint press conference with US  President Donald Trump at the East Room of the White House in Washington.

The two leaders met for the first time following President Trump's return to the White House for a second non-consecutive term. They highlighted their strong personal rapport and discussed leveraging it to further strengthen India-US relations.

With PTI, ANI inputs