By Arun Kumar
India assessing impact of Trump order on Indian nationals and industry.
Amid mounting criticism in India and the US of President Donald Trump’s suspension of H-1B and other work visas till yearend, India has expressed concern over its impact on skilled Indian professionals.
Pointing out that high-skilled Indian professionals impart a competitive edge to the US economy, India has conveyed to the US its hope that they will continue to be welcomed in USA in the future
Trump’s June 22 proclamation suspending several categories of work visas including H-1B would likely “affect the movement of skilled Indian professionals,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday.
India, a ministry spokesman said, is “assessing the impact of the order on Indian nationals and industry in consultation with stakeholders.”
“People-to-people linkages and trade & economic cooperation, especially in technology and innovation sectors, are an important dimension of the US-India partnership,” he said.
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“High-skilled Indian professionals bring important skill sets, bridge technological gaps and impart a competitive edge to the US economy,” the spokesman pointed out.
“They have also been a critical component of the workforce that is at the forefront of providing covid-19 related assistance in key sectors, including health, information technology and financial services,” he said.
“The US has always welcomed talent and we hope our professionals will continue to be welcomed in USA in the future,” it said and that India has communicated this to the US.
Earlier this month, amid Trump administration’s review of non-immigration visas, India had hoped that it will take into account “the long term benefits of H-1B visa for US competitiveness and not affect provision of essential services” during the global covid crisis.
The Indian government has closely consulted all stakeholders and engaged with the US Government on H-1B issue, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in a virtual address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had taken it up, “along with the issue of the totalization agreement, during the visit of President Trump to India in February,” he said.
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