India's Ministry of External Affairs criticized U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's remarks, labeling them as 'deeply offensive' and historically insensitive. Vance's comments came as the U.S.
Department of Labor suspended several major Indian IT companies, including Microsoft and Infosys, from its Permanent Labor Certification program, preventing them from applying for permanent residency for employees on H-1B visas. This suspension affects a significant portion of H-1B visa holders, with around 70% of beneficiaries in 2025 being Indian nationals.
The Indian government emphasized that Indian professionals are valuable contributors to the U.S. economy and innovation. In response to the visa suspensions, NASSCOM noted that Indian tech firms have been reducing their reliance on H-1B visas and are increasing domestic hiring in the U.S.
Tata Consultancy Services, the largest Indian IT company, reported a drastic reduction in H-1B applications and plans to hire 15,000 more employees in the U.S. over the next five years. This situation underscores the complexities of U.S.-India relations in the tech sector and the potential implications for talent mobility and economic collaboration