H-1B visa debate in the US puts Indian government on alert

The Indian government is actively monitoring developments concerning the backlash against Indian H-1B visa holders in the United States. Multiple ministries, including External Affairs, Commerce, and Information Technology, are working to ensure that Indian professionals working legally in the US are not subjected to unpleasant situations.

“We shouldn't have a situation where there is an unpleasant issue created for our Indian workers who are there legally. That is something the government is constantly concerned about,” a government source told The Times of India.

The IT ministry is engaging with major software companies and industry associations like Nasscom to gather ground-level insights. "We would like to make sure our competitive position is not affected and that other factors do not interfere with legal frameworks, even from an American setup," the source added.


The government is also observing the evolution of American visa policies, especially in light of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. "We don’t want to view this as a scenario of increasing restrictions but as an opportunity to see how American policies develop," the source emphasized.

Officials pointed out that the establishment of global capability centers (GCCs) in India by multinational companies, including US firms, underscores the demand for highly skilled Indian professionals. "The fact that they are setting up GCCs in India shows they are keen to hire qualified Indian workers for cutting-edge work," a source explained.

Monitoring US Developments

The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with the Indian mission in the US to closely track the situation. The recent appointment of Chennai-born Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on AI has drawn significant backlash from far-right groups, who claim H-1B visa holders are displacing American workers.

Despite this controversy, President-elect Trump defended the program, stating to the New York Post: “I’ve always liked the visas. I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them… It’s a great program.” Elon Musk, a prominent American businessman, also supported the need for reforms without undermining H-1B visas.