Congress Criticizes Modi Over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Quick Summary

• The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, targeting highly skilled workers. This change is expected to substantially impact Indian tech professionals, who make up 70% of H-1B visa holders.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized PM Narendra Modi’s foreign policy approach in a social media post, calling the fee hike a “birthday return gift.” He also highlighted potential losses of ₹2.17 lakh crore across various sectors due to additional tariffs.
• Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders such as Gaurav Gogoi and Manish Tewari referred to Modi as a “weak PM,” arguing that his foreign policy approach undermines national interests.
• Congress member Pawan Khera revisited Rahul Gandhi’s previous warnings from 2017 regarding the inadequacy of discussions between Trump and modi on the visa issue.
• The fee hike is part of broader U.S. measures aimed at curbing immigration under Trump’s administration.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The imposition of steep fees on H-1B visas is likely to affect thousands of Indian tech workers and broader technology sector engagement with the United States. India’s reliance on outsourcing for IT services makes such policies impactful both economically and strategically. These changes not only challenge Indian professionals working overseas but could also complicate India-U.S relations if perceived as unilateral or excessively punitive.

The criticism from opposition leaders highlights concerns over India’s diplomatic approach in safeguarding workforce interests abroad while managing bilateral priorities effectively. Amid economic interlinkages with global markets like the U.S., strategic foresight in addressing restrictive policies will be essential for preserving India’s competitive edge internationally.

Read more: H-1B Visa LIVE