Washington D.C. – India has voiced concerns that a newly announced fee on H-1B visas will have “humanitarian consequences” due to disruption caused to families, as trade tensions with teh United States continue to escalate. The statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs came Saturday, following the White House’s proclamation of changes to the visa program.
The Indian government “hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities,” and emphasized the exchange of skilled workers has “contributed enormously” to both nations,adding that policymakers should assess recent steps considering mutual benefits and strong people-to-people ties. No specifics on potential retaliatory measures where provided.
The developments occur amid tense trade negotiations between the two countries, triggered last month when former President Trump imposed punishing tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil. In 2024, the US exported $41.5 billion worth of goods to India and imported $87.3 billion, according to the US Trade Representative’s office.
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit the US on Monday for trade talks, Reuters reported.
india’s leading trade body, Nasscom, stated that the sudden changes to the H-1B program create “considerable uncertainty for businesses, professionals, and students across the world.”
The White House defended the changes, asserting the visas were not being used as intended, citing data suggesting some visas are being “abused” to undercut American wages and outsource IT jobs. Though, the order includes provisions for “case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest.”
