Suresh Prabhu strongly raises H-1B, L1 visa issues with United States in Trade Policy Forum meeting

Washington, October 28: India on Friday strongly raised the issue of H-1B and L1 visas with the United States at the bilateral Trade Policy Forum meeting that was held in Washington. Earlier, the Trump administration tightened the renewal of non-immigrant visas such as H-1B and L1 mainly popular among IT professionals.

 

Notably, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu during the US-India bilateral Trade Policy Forum has raised the issue of H1B and L1 visas to the United States asserting that the American economy would find it difficult to cope with the reality as it was immensely benefited by Indian IT professionals.

The forum attended by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Minister Prabhu said, “the US has immensely benefited by IT professionals penetrating into the market by offering services that have improved their productivity.”

During the forum, the two countries agreed to address the issue of trade deficit by increasing and diversifying bilateral trade. Minister Prabhu said that New Delhi sought to ease procedures for export of mangoes and pomegranates to the US. He said this meeting has yielded positive results in the removal of barriers in the export of Indian mangoes to them.

Further taking a note of United States concern on price controls on medical devices the Commerce Minister encouraged American companies to take benefit of the Make in India policy and establish manufacturing facilities in India which would considerably bring down the cost.

Minister Prabhu also sought cooperation from the US in certain technology sectors like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and aviation. He also highlighted the series of economic reforms undertaken by Prime Minister Modi, such as Goods and Services Tax, Make in India, Startup India and ‘Fund of Funds for Startups’ (FFS), Digital India, e-commerce, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, FDI reforms, improved business and investment climate which have led to significant investment inflows into India.

The Indian Minister also sought the support of the U.S. to India’s proposal on the Trade Facilitation in Services Agreement which has been tabled by India at the WTO.

At the conclusion of TPF, both Ministers decided that the two countries will continue to work towards building strong trade and investment ties to realize mutual gains from the partnership. The talks were held in a friendly and cooperative environment, with both sides expressing the desire to reduce the existing gaps and work towards resolution of the outstanding issues before the next round of the TPF.