New Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday slammed the Centre following the Trump administration’s imposition of a USD 100,000 annual charge for H-1B visas. He expressed concerns that the move would adversely affect the “brightest minds” from India.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gogoi criticized his “strategic silence and loud optics,” stating that these have become a liability for the nation. Sharing an X post, the Congress MP wrote,
“With the recent decision on H1-B visas the American government have hit at the future of the best and brightest minds from India. I still remember the boldness of former PM Manmohan Singh when one IFS lady diplomat was insulted in the US. Now PM Modi’s preference for strategic-silence and loud optics has become a liability for the national interest of India and her citizens.”
Congress leader Pawan Khera echoed similar sentiments by reiterating Rahul Gandhi’s “weak Prime Minister” remark.
“8 years later, @RahulGandhi is vindicated yet again. He called it out back in 2017, and nothing has changed. India is still stuck with a weak Prime Minister,” Khera wrote on X.
Congress MLA in Karnataka, Priyank Kharge, also took a jibe at PM Modi, highlighting the consequences of the executive order raising the H-1B visa fee. Kharge wrote,
“Modi ji’s friend” the executive order raising the H-1B visa fee. Modi – Dolaand (Donald Trump) friendship is turning out to be very expensive for India. Modi ji’s best friend signs an executive order imposing a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas. A move that hits Indian tech workers the hardest, since more than 70 per cent of all H-1Bs go to Indians.”
He further added,
“This comes after the 50 per cent tariff, the HIRE Act, the lifting of the Chabahar port sanction exemption and even his call asking the EU to put a 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Thank you, Modiji.”
The Congress’ strong criticism comes after the US president on Friday (local time) issued a new presidential proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” This proclamation introduces a major overhaul to the H-1B visa programme by imposing a steep USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications.
The fee is set to take effect on September 21 and represents one of the Trump administration’s most aggressive efforts yet to reform the H-1B visa programme. The move raises fresh questions about whether this is a necessary correction or a potentially crippling blow to America’s tech talent pipeline.
This development is likely to impact Indians seeking job opportunities in the technology and IT sectors in the US.
*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/strategic-silence-loud-optics-liability-for-nation-congress-slams-pm-modi-as-us-imposes-usd-100000-fee-on-h-1b-visas
