Modi to US: Develop a farsighted perspective on movement of professionals

Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Feb 21 – Welcoming a 26-member bipartisan delegation from the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the United States to develop a balanced outlook towards the movement of skilled professionals, said an official here.

Underlining the contribution of the Indian talent to the US economy and society, the Prime Minister asked the United States to develop a reflective, balanced and farsighted perspective on movement of skilled professionals, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“The Prime Minister shared his perspective on areas where both countries can work even more closely, including in facilitating greater people-to-people linkages that have over the years helped in contributing to each other’s prosperity,” it said.

India, in January, had expressed its concern over a bill to change rules on H-1B visas that will impact the IT industry and Indian techies working in America.

The High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017, introduced in the House of Representatives by California Congressman Zoe Lofgren, calls for doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 from the current minimum of $60,000 — a move that could impact Indian techies.

Calling the visit as a good start to bilateral exchanges following a new US administration, Modi recalled his “positive conversation with President Donald Trump and the shared commitment to further strengthening of ties that have grown deeper in the last two-and-a-half years”.

“In this regard, he recognised Congress’s strong bipartisan support for the India-US partnership,” the statement added.