H1B visa: India begins dialogue with US lawmakers - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

H1B visa: India begins dialogue with US lawmakers

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAnirban Ghoshal and Sunny Sen
Feb 21, 2017 10:54 PM IST

The Indian software services companies will breathe a sigh of relief as the Indian ministries, authorities and industry lobby had a dialogue with a visiting eight-member US delegation headed by Congressman Bob GoodLatte, on the ongoing concerns of H1-B visa holders.

The Indian software services companies will breathe a sigh of relief as the Indian ministries, authorities and industry lobby had a dialogue with a visiting eight-member US delegation headed by Congressman Bob GoodLatte, on the ongoing concerns of H1-B visa holders.

The Indian government has started a dialogue with US lawmakers to resolve the H1B visa issue.(HT Archive)
The Indian government has started a dialogue with US lawmakers to resolve the H1B visa issue.(HT Archive)

After the meeting with IT minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, GoodLatte, the chairman of house judiciary committee that plays an important role in drawing policies around immigration and intellectual property, said, that it was up to President Donald Trump to reassess the situation on the immigration policy.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

To put things in perspective, the Trump government has started a clampdown on H1-B visa holders, who he believes take away American jobs. The Indian IT industry has thrived over the “offshore” business model.

America accounts for 65% of $155 billion Indian IT revenue.

However, according to a senior government official who had knowledge of the meeting said that things looked positive. “US-India has a good relationship historically. India and US compliments and supplements each other in several areas especially with Indian talent adding value to US firms and the biggest examples are Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai,” he said.

The source, who is highly placed in the government, added that nearly 75% of all Fortune-500 companies are serviced by Indian IT firms, and that some of the top IT firms doing business in India, are of American origin, such as Cisco, Google and Amazon.

Meanwhile, Nirmala Sitharaman, minister of commerce and industry said that “the issue” had been discussed in details with the US Congressmen. “Business always flourishes in an environment of certainty and transparency. So even this visa related issue is an issue on which we would want to have an air of certainty and also transparency,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

Sitharaman added that the US Congress is waiting for the new administration to settle down, and once that happens, the Congressmen will play an important role in the coming out with the rules.

Indian IT sector, contributes 9.3% to the country’s GDP, and employs of 3.7 million people. The uncertainty has led to drop in value, and fall in employment.

The US has introduced the Lofgren Bill, which proposes the minimum wages being doubled to $130,000. The current H1-B minimum wage of $60,000 was fixed in 1989.

However, most H1-B visa holders get an average of $1,00,000, according to consultancy firm, Greyhound Research.

The government source added, “The Indian government has asked the visiting US lawmakers to keep the Indian IT firms’ contribution in mind while the new government is reassessing its policy on immigration.”

To hold further discussions in the matter, a Nasscom delegation from India, will visit the US for a week-long trip.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Stay informed on Business News along with Gold Rates Today, India News and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On