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India’s response came after US President Donald Trump ordered a steep hike in the annual H-1B non-immigrant visa fee to $100,000.
India’s response came after the US imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa holders. (Representative image)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas in the United States that largely affects Indian professionals, stressing that skilled talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously to technology development and economic growth in both countries and that India would remain engaged with relevant stakeholders.
“I understand that stakeholders, including the industry, have one month to provide their comments. As we stated earlier, skilled talent mobility and exchanges have contributed enormously to technology development, innovation, economic growth, competitiveness and wealth creation in the United States and India,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday during a press conference.
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“We would remain engaged with all concerned, including the industry, hoping that these factors receive due consideration,” he added.
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India In Touch With Trump Administration: MEA
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump ordered a steep hike in the annual H-1B non-immigrant visa fee to $100,000. This new fee is expected to hit Indian workers the hardest, as they form the majority of H-1B visa holders.
The Trump administration says the rule is intended to prevent abuse of the H-1B program and protect American jobs. According to the order, some US workers have been replaced by cheaper foreign labour, especially in the tech sector. However, India has maintained that labour exchanges have contributed to the economic development of both countries.
Additionally, Jaiswal informed that the External Affairs Ministry and the Indian embassy in Washington, DC, are in touch with the Trump administration over the new H-1B visa rules. “This is still an evolving situation and we remain engaged at various levels,” he said.
Jaishankar-Rubio meeting
The MEA also provided details on the meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2025. The meeting came as India-US ties were strained following Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports, citing Russian oil purchase.
“They were joined by CIM and USTR, as also officials on both sides. The focus of the discussion was on trade and tariffs. Other aspects of our bilateral relationship were also reviewed,” Jaiswal said during the presser.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said that both leaders discussed a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. He said that both sides agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas.
The bilateral talks also coincide with ongoing India–US trade negotiations in Washington, where Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is leading the Indian side. The trade negotiations resumed after Trump marked a shift in tone and announced that his team was continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with New Delhi.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
September 26, 2025, 16:39 IST
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