US Trafficking Report Recognises India’s Efforts, Flags Rescue of 6,720 From Scam Centres

The United States’ 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report has recognised India’s increased efforts to combat human trafficking, highlighting the repatriation of 6,720 Indians exploited in online scam operations in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

Released on Thursday, the report retained India in Tier 2 while noting “overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period”. It also said some of India’s initiatives “should be applauded”.

REPATRIATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT

The report said the Ministry of External Affairs facilitated the return of 6,720 Indian nationals by December 2025 through the Indian Community Welfare Fund. These individuals had been exploited in forced criminality at scam operations in Southeast Asia.

India also funded eight additional Anti-Human Trafficking Units, bringing the number of operational units to 827 in 2025.

The report highlighted an artificial intelligence-based tool launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in January 2026 to map trafficking and child marriage hotspots, identify children vulnerable to exploitation and track organised crime.

In the maritime sector, nearly 100 companies were barred from recruiting seafarers after authorities identified unlicensed recruiters and cases of crew abandonment. The report also noted that grievances against 3,505 unregistered agencies were listed on the eMigrate portal.

VICTIM PROTECTION AND CHILD TRAFFICKING

On victim protection, the report cited an allocation of ₹2,521 crore for protection services, One-Stop Centres, women’s helplines and 404 Shakti Sadan homes.

It also highlighted the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ Combating Child Trafficking 3.0 initiative, launched in July 2025 to address trafficking risks in more than 200 vulnerable districts.

The report referred to Supreme Court guidelines issued in April 2025 calling for child trafficking trials to be completed within six months.

MHA SEEKS STRONGER STATE ACTION

Separately, the Ministry of Home Affairs has urged states and Union Territories to strengthen the implementation of the three new criminal laws and make greater use of technology against trafficking.

In an August 28 letter to Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police, the ministry described anti-trafficking efforts as an “important priority” of the Central government. It said the effectiveness of the statutory and digital framework depended on decisive state leadership and rigorous implementation.

The advisory called for relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to be used against trafficking syndicates, their financiers and key operators. It stressed that trafficking is rarely an isolated crime and typically involves organised networks.

States were urged to strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking Units, appoint specialised public prosecutors, prioritise trials and improve investigations through digital evidence, forensic tools and audio-video recording.

The ministry also sought greater inter-state coordination through the Crime Multi Agency Centre and Joint Investigation Teams. It called for monitoring online job portals and social media to identify fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes that lure Indians into exploitation at scam operations.

“States must ensure that every Anti-Human Trafficking Unit is fully staffed, specialised, and actively engaged in the field and does not remain merely an empty formality,” the advisory stated.

The ministry asked states and Union Territories to circulate the advisory among police stations and field officers, and strengthen training and coordination.

With inputs from ANI