New Delhi: The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of a new US policy imposing a hefty $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, a decision likely to disproportionately affect Indian professionals working in the United States.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, spearheaded the critique on Saturday, branding Modi as a “weak” leader unable to safeguard the interests of Indian workers abroad. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, accusing the Prime Minister of diluting India’s foreign policy into mere “bear hugs, hollow slogans, and flashy optics,” which he claimed have fallen short in defending national priorities.
The new directive, signed into law by former US President Donald Trump on Friday, requires firms employing highly skilled foreign workers under the H-1B visa program to pay a steep annual fee of $100,000 per worker. The tech industry, which heavily depends on this workforce—approximately 70% of whom are Indian nationals—is expected to face significant challenges as a result.
Gandhi’s condemnation came alongside a shared news article outlining the visa fee hike, accompanied by a tweet restating his position from 2017, highlighting Modi’s apparent lack of discussion on H-1B concerns during his previous US visit.
Kharge stressed that effective foreign policy must prioritize protecting India’s national interests and cultivating international relations with prudence and balance, rather than resorting to superficial displays that may jeopardize India’s future diplomatic standing.
