For US visas, India flags democratic values

Sandeep Dikshit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 27

India adopted the novel approach of highlighting the country’s democratic credentials while persuading US President Donald Trump to exclude its citizens from his anti-immigration stance.

During discussions on H-1B visas that let foreigners live and work in the US, New Delhi provided the usual arguments that skilled Indian professionals add to the competitiveness of American industries. But it also pointed out that Indians shared the same values of democracy as the Americans and therefore can fit in better than immigrants from countries with different political systems.

Seven countries, including India and China have a limit of seven per cent of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based visas which is about 25,000 for each of these countries. Moreover, the advent of Trump has led to an increase in the denial rate of H-1B applications. A study by a US firm found that applications for initial employment for Amazon, Microsoft, Intel and Google increased from one per cent in 2015 to six, eight, seven and three per cent, respectively. Apple was the only exception.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said during talks on visas during the Trump visit, India pointed out that Indian immigrants to the US carry with them values they have picked up from their democratic background. This common area of ideology in terms of democratic values and principles that both countries believe in enables Indians to fit in better when it comes to working and contributing to the prosperity of other democracies.

Talks also touched on a totalisation agreement, an issue of immense interest to thousands of Indians who have worked in the US for a short span. India wanted the US to send back the social security amount contributed by Indians who have worked in the US for less than eight years.