Shashi Tharoor (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday highlighted the lack of engagement from the Indian-American community on issues affecting India, such as H-1B visa restrictions and trade tariffs, as he welcomed a visiting US Congressional delegation in New Delhi.Tharoor said the five-member delegation, all Democrats with four of them from California expressed “tremendous interest in India” and reiterated that the US Congress continues to value and support the India–US strategic partnership.“We had a very good visit from a US Congressional delegation which consisted of five members of the US House of Congress. They spoke very warmly and positively of the relationship, and the most important message that came out was that a lot of American opinion, including in Congress, is strongly committed to the Indian relationship despite recent setbacks like the H1-B visa issue, the 50% tariff setback and the sanctions on Chabahar Port,” Tharoor said. However, the Congress leader also questioned why the Indian-American diaspora had not been vocal on these matters. He pointed out that one of the visiting congresswomen said she had not received a single phone call from any Indian-American voter urging her to support a change of policy.“This is something that is surprising,” Tharoor remarked, adding that the diaspora must speak up if they truly care about India. “If you care about the relationship with your motherland, then you also have to fight for it, speak for it and press your political representatives to stand up for India.” Tharoor noted that the delegation members who visited India were already “friends of India” and “well disposed” towards the bilateral relationship, but stressed that more effort from the Indian-American community was needed to strengthen political support for India in Washington.A delegation of US Congresspersons visited the Parliament House Annexe Extension Building to meet the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The session was chaired by Tharoor. The committee meeting included a briefing by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs on “India–Sri Lanka Relations and the way ahead,” as well as discussions with the US Congressional delegation.The new US policy on H-1B visas has introduced a one-time fee of USD 100,000 for new applicants, effective from September 21. According to the US administration, the fee does not apply to existing H-1B visa holders or renewals, and is not an annual recurring charge.US President Donald Trump had imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, doubling duties on key exports such as garments, gems and jewellery, footwear, furniture and chemicals. The move was seen as a major setback for Indian exporters and trade ties.
