Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit out at the Centre after the Trump administration announced a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, calling India’s foreign policy “weak” and ill-prepared to protect national interests.
Speaking at a press conference, Yadav warned that the move would hit India’s IT and technology sectors. “Investment had been raised in Uttar Pradesh; companies like Infosys and Samsung came here. But this is not the first time America has acted in this manner. Our foreign policy is weak. What preparations are in place if other nations follow suit?” he asked.
Yadav further alleged that India remains over-dependent on imports, including oil, and accused the government of repeated economic missteps. “After WTO, many mistakes are being made. We are dependent on other countries for everything. We are still doing business with a country that has taken our land several times,” he added.
The criticism follows US President Donald Trump’s proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”, which introduces one of the most sweeping overhauls of the H-1B visa programme. The rule, set to take effect on September 21, is seen as a potential blow to Indian professionals, who form the majority of H-1B holders.
Meanwhile, Congress also escalated its attack on the government. Party leader Pawan Khera accused PM Modi of “silence” in the face of repeated US actions. He claimed that had Modi called out Trump’s statements as lies in Parliament, the country would have supported him. Khera recalled that Rahul Gandhi had warned as early as 2017 about the possibility of such a move, but said Modi failed to act, leaving crores of Indian youth vulnerable.