Indian PM urges USA to “keep an open mind” regarding H-1B visas

On Tuesday, Indian PM Narendra Modi encouraged the US to be open minded about allowing skilled workers from India on H1B visas, via comments that impelled against US President Trump's rhetoric of "America First" with regard to jobs.

Modi's remarks mirrored anxiety of India's $150 billion IT services industry suffering, if USA curbs the H-1B visas, as it depends on the same to send its tech experts on project work, to the United States.

"The prime minister referred to the role of skilled Indian talent in enriching the American economy and society," Said Modi's office in a statement, after his meeting with a bipartisan delegation consisting of 26 US Congress members.

"He urged developing a reflective, balanced and far-sighted perspective on movement of skilled professionals." Indians are significantly the biggest category of beneficiaries, of the 65,000 H-1B visas issued every year to fresh applicants under the mandate cap by Congress. The exemptions on H-1B cap are obtainable to around 20,000 more candidates, who have a master's degree from the US.

The real number of Indians working in USA, on the H-1B program is remarkably higher though, as numerous visas are rolled over. Satya Nadell - Microsoft’s CEO, who has Indian origins, also met PM Modi on Tuesday. He earlier stated to the ‘Economic Times’ that his own career was made possible through "an enlightened immigration policy".

The initial confidence of Asia's 3rd-largest economy benefitting from Trump's popular triumph, has succumbed to concern over his isolationist rhetoric and hostility towards free trade that would harm India's tech & outsourcing industries.

The IT sector, spearheaded by Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro, employs about 3.5 million folks and is pushing against proposed visa curbs by US - including increased salaries that H-1B visa bearers must receive.

A senior Indian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that India hopes to find a solution for the H-1B matter with USA, but refused to be drawn in over the details.

The source additionally added that the government encouraged a move by India's high-tech industry association, Nasscom, to persuade companies and US lawmakers to urge the administration on not cracking down on its inflow of skilled workers into the United States.