The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma today expressed his concern over the discriminatory measures related to skilled non-immigrant visas in the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill passed by the US Senate, in a meeting with Mr. Steve Van Andel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, US Chamber of Commerce, here today. Shri Sharma said that elements of the Bill will undermine the competitiveness of Indian IT businesses in the US.

Shri Sharma asserted the fact that “our IT companies have contributed enormously to the US economy through job creation, local hiring, and enhancing the competitiveness of their clients, who included some of the US’s largest businesses.” Indian companies support more than 280,000 jobs in the US and have contributed more than USD 15 billion to the US Treasury in the last five years. Investments of more than USD 5 billion have been made in the last five years alone, by way of acquisitions. Mr. Andel conveyed that the US Chamber is on the “same page” on the issue and there is need to be more vocal about the ill effects of the proposed legislation.

Highlighting the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and National Manufacturing Investment Zones (NMIZs) as “path breaking initiatives which will pave the way for a new age partnership between our two countries”, Mr. Andel evinced US’ interest in investment in these regions. Shri Sharma informed Mr. Andel that the DMIC, which passes through six Indian states, accounts for 43% of national GDP, half of industrial output and exports and employs 40% of total workforce. Shri Sharma also mentioned about the National Manufacturing Policy announced by Indian Government which has taken cognizance of the serious challenge of reviving the growth of manufacturing and raising its share in gross domestic product (GDP).

Immigration reform visa restrictions risk undermining skilled IT competitiveness in the US, prompting industry and trade concern. Concerns over proposed immigration reform emphasise discriminatory restrictions on skilled non immigrant visas that may undermine the competitiveness of Indian IT companies in the United States; the US Chamber of Commerce concurs and urges vocal advocacy. The article also highlights US investment interest in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor and National Manufacturing Investment Zones alongside India's National Manufacturing Policy as opportunities for strengthened bilateral economic cooperation.