Why Trump's visa change plan could hurt US-India ties

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Why Trumps visa change plan could hurt US-India ties

Washington - Speculation about tougher rules on H-1B visas had sent tech stocks tumbling in India.

By AP

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Published: Thu 9 Feb 2017, 6:16 PM

The US and India seem like a natural fit in the Trump era: rambunctious democracies, led by populists, focused on economic growth and fighting radical Islam. It's a budding partnership that could be set back by a nuts-and-bolts dispute over employment visas.

As President Donald Trump looks to help American workers, his administration is considering a review of a visa programme used heavily by India's massive technology and outsourcing industries to send programmers and other computer specialists to the US.

Speculation about tougher rules on so-called H-1B visas sent tech stocks tumbling in India last week. And it's compounding concerns over the protectionist direction of US policy after Trump suspended immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The technology sector is vital for India's economy and job creation.


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