H1B fee hike will hit US startups and innovation more, will have minimal impact on India’s IT sector: USISPF Chief
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
The recent hike in H1B visa fees announced by the US government could hurt American startups and innovation more than India’s booming IT services exports, according to Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
In an exclusive interview with , Aghi explained that this change might actually benefit India in the long run. From the US side, he said, officials see the H1B program as sometimes misused, and they want to attract top talent with higher salaries. That could mean Indian professionals on H1B visas earn much better pay. Plus, routine low-level tasks might move back to India for outsourcing. Despite all the buzz around H1B visas, Aghi stressed the impact on India’s economy and IT exports will stay small. “It will hit innovations and startups in the US hard,” he added. “But the broader US economy? Not really.”
Shifting to US President Donald Trump’s speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Aghi commented on Trump’s remarks about India and Pakistan. India has long insisted on no outside meddling in its disputes with Pakistan, he noted. Trump claimed he stepped in during seven conflicts to bring peace, but Aghi pointed out this clashes with India’s 70-year stance against third-party involvement. “Overall, the speech was solid,” Aghi said. “Except for the India-Pakistan part.”
Aghi also pushed back against Trump’s accusation that China and India fuel the Russia-Ukraine war by buying Russian oil. He called the claim off-base. Europeans actually import far more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia than anyone else, Aghi explained. Sure, India, China, and even the US keep purchasing Russian oil in big volumes, but that doesn’t drive the conflict. “The war started long before these buys ramped up,” he said. “Blaming India, China, and Europe for funding it just isn’t accurate.”
Finally, on the 50% US tariffs hitting Indian goods, Aghi remained optimistic about US-India relations. Trade tensions exist, but the bigger picture looks strong, he said. The two nations align on geopolitics, with deep ties in people-to-people connections and technology sharing. US companies are pouring investments into India, opening hundreds of global capability centers and fueling innovation hubs. “Trade issues will sort themselves out soon,” Aghi predicted. “The relationship is on the right path.” ()
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