Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticized the central government's foreign policy in light of the United States' decision to significantly increase the fees for H-1B visas. Yadav characterized the government's foreign policy as "weak" and suggested that India is becoming overly dependent on other nations.
The US administration's decision to sharply increase annual fees for H-1B visas is set to affect a significant portion of Indian professionals working in America's technology and STEM sectors. The revised regulations mandate organizations recruiting foreign professionals on H-1B visas from abroad to submit a payment of $100,000 for each application. This is a substantial increase, considering the existing fees range from $1,700 to $4,500, depending on the processing speed. The move is likely to affect Indians looking for jobs in the technology and IT sectors in the US and has led to strong criticism.
Yadav questioned the central government's preparedness to deal with the repercussions of the US's move, particularly its impact on the IT and technology sectors. He pointed out that investments were raised in Uttar Pradesh, with companies like Infosys and Samsung establishing operations in the state. He further added, "It is not the first time America has behaved in such a manner. Our foreign policy is weak. What is the preparation if other nations do the same?".
Yadav also claimed that India is dependent on other nations for essential goods, including oil, and alleged several economic mismanagement. "After the WTO, other mistakes are being made due to which we are not looking economically strengthened. We are dependent on other countries for everything, including oil. The list is long. We are still doing business with a country that has taken away our land many times," he stated.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Indian IT professionals have been major beneficiaries of this visa program. The US government defends the fee hike as a measure to ensure that those being brought into the country are highly skilled and do not replace American workers.
However, the decision has been met with criticism from various quarters. Critics argue that the increased fee could discourage US employers from sponsoring new visas or renewing existing ones. This could lead companies to explore alternatives such as increasing offshore delivery from India, investing in local US hiring, or accelerating the adoption of remote work models. Some experts believe that the move could backfire on the US by stifling innovation and pushing the next wave of labs, patents, and startups to countries like India.
The Trump administration's move may appear punitive at first glance, but for India, it could be a strategic inflection point. If leveraged wisely, it can mark the beginning of a new era where the country stops exporting talent and instead builds global platforms at home. The fee hike could lead to reverse migration of skilled professionals, strengthening India's domestic industries. By fostering a supportive ecosystem, India can retain and attract talent, boosting domestic innovation and global competitiveness. This shift could transform India into a hub for tech advancements.
