New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US government's decision to impose a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications.

In a social media post on X, Kejriwal questioned the Prime Minister's ability to handle critical issues and asked if the 'Prime Minister of 140 crore people is helpless.'

Kejriwal posted on X, 'Prime Minister ji, do something at least. Why is the Prime Minister of 140 crore people so helpless in the end? Can't you handle anything at all?'

https://x.com/arvindkejriwal/status/1969371557698159047

These remarks came after US President Donald Trump's new presidential proclamation titled 'Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers', imposing a USD 100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. The measure, effective from September 21, aims to combat what the administration calls widespread abuse of the H-1B programme, particularly by IT outsourcing firms accused of displacing American workers and suppressing wages.

The proclamation argues that the original purpose of H-1B, to bring in highly skilled foreign talent, has been distorted, with the administration claiming that low-wage, entry-level H-1B hires have harmed American graduates and also highlights national security concerns, pointing to investigations into visa fraud and money laundering involving companies that rely heavily on the programme.

As per the order, employers must now provide proof of payment when filing H-1B petitions, with enforcement overseen by the US Departments of State and Homeland Security. Limited exemptions are available for cases deemed in the national interest.

This rise in Visa costs are likely to hit the tech cost arbitrage model where Indian software engineers and other talent were working onsite in the US, but could see the rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India.

Earlier today, Congress leader Manish Tewari criticised the move, saying the US was 'systematically turning on the screws on India' and that such decisions did not bode well for bilateral relations.

'If you look at it in context, the premature ceasefire announcement by the US at the instigation of Pakistan, subsequently, the felicitation and the fetting of the Pakistani Army chief in the White House, followed by the 50% tariffs which have been imposed by the US and even the Saudi-Pakistani defence partnership won't have happened without the tacit support and blessing of the US. So, in a very systematic manner, for reasons which are inexplicable and un-understandable, the US is deliberately being belligerent towards India, and it does not augur well for India-US relations,' Tewari told ANI. (ANI)