Govt seeks to allay fears on H-1B visa

The government on Thursday tried to assuage concerns of Indian professionals over the H1B visa issue, saying the steps taken by the US were aimed at illegal immigration and it would continue to engage with the Donald Trump administration on the issue.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said that during the recent discussions of the foreign secretary and commerce secretary with their interlocutors

President Trump has also referred to merit-based approach on the subject (security of Indians in the US

— Gopal Baglay, MEA spokesman

in the US, there was a strong recognition as well as respect for Indian skills and contribution of the Indian technological manpower to the US economy. “Senior US officials have stated that illegal immigration and not H1B is their priority. President Trump has also referred to merit-based approach on the subject,” Mr Baglay said when asked about the issue of reported curbs on H1B visas. He also noted that the Indian business body Nasscom in its statement recently had also said suspension of premium processing is not a significant impediment. He said it has been India’s view that the presence of skilled Indian professionals is positive for the US economy as well, particularly when the US seeks to build a stronger economy, according to news agency reports.

“We have conveyed to the US side that H1B is a trade and business issue, an economy issue. Our views are clearly conveyed to the US,” he said, adding US interlocutors told the foreign secretary that the killing of an engineer in Kansas was an individual case. The Kansas shooting incident as well as the other subsequent ones have been raised in very strong terms with the US authorities, he said.