H-1B visa hike a 'return gift' from Trump to Modi: Congress

The Congress on Saturday hit out at the Modi government over the Trump administration's decision to sharply raise H-1B visa fees, terming it the latest "return gift" from US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his recent birthday call. The party said the hike would hurt Indian tech workers and questioned the effectiveness of Modi's foreign policy.

"Indians are pained by the return gifts you have received after the birthday call from your 'Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar' government," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a social media post. He listed recent US moves as evidence: "$100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, hitting Indian tech workers the hardest... 50% tariff already imposed... HIRE Act targeting Indian outsourcing... Chabahar port exemption lifted, hurting our strategic interests... and even a call for the EU to impose 100% tariff on Indian goods."