Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has termed the US’s decision to increase H-1B visa fees and implement new tariffs on Indian goods as a significant setback for India, especially regarding employment and trade. He recognized these actions as both expensive and ‘unfair,’ but maintained that they do not signify a collapse in bilateral relations. Tharoor pointed out that the measures would negatively impact India’s IT sector and many professionals in the US, yet he emphasized that strong collaboration in defense, technology, artificial intelligence, and space will mitigate lasting harm. He also highlighted the presence of over five million Indian-origin individuals in the US, including students and Silicon Valley CEOs, asserting that the people-to-people connections form a robust base for the partnership.
Despite existing tensions, Tharoor argued that the two countries have too many common interests to allow conflicts to disrupt their relationship. Ongoing diplomatic engagements, including recent discussions between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirm the commitment to dialogue and advancements in key areas. The recent US policy changes, which encompass a 50% increase in tariffs on Indian imports and a rise in the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, initially caused alarm among visa holders. Nevertheless, Tharoor expressed optimism that the broader context of India-US relations would eventually restore balance.