The Union Finance Minister holds a bilateral meeting with the US Commerce Secretary.

Finance Minister raises the issue of tightening of H-1B Visa regime by US and emphasizes contributions of the skilled Indian professionals to US economy

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley held a bilateral meeting with the US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Washington DC on 20 April, 2017.  Finance Minister was accompanied by the India’s Ambassador Navtej Sarna and Secretary Economic Affairs Shaktikanta Das.

Both leaders emphasized the strength of Indo-US economic relations and the bipartisan support it has acquired over the years.  Finance Minister briefed the US Commerce Secretary on the strength of the Indian economy and the significant structural reforms Government of India has undertaken over the last three years.  The US Commerce Secretary Ross congratulated the Indian Finance Minister on making the GST a reality. 

Finance Minister raised the issue of recent executive orders which indicate a possible tightening of the H-1B visa regime. He outlined the significant contributions the skilled Indian professionals have made to the US economy and expressed the hope that the US administration will take this aspect into consideration while taking any decision.

Work visa regime concerns raised; call to consider skilled professionals' contributions amid proposed regulatory tightening. The principal regulatory concern was potential tightening of the work visa regime in the United States; the Finance Minister emphasized the significant contributions of skilled Indian professionals to the US economy and urged that those contributions be considered by the US administration when evaluating or implementing changes to visa policy, seeking that any policy adjustments reflect bilateral economic interests and the role of skilled migration in supporting bilateral commerce.