Dhruva Jaishankar: India, US Firms Raise Concerns on Talent Availability Amid H-1B Fee Hike

New York [US], September 24 : Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America, has said that both Indian and US-based companies have raised concerns over the availability of skilled talent following the Trump administration’s sharp hike in H-1B visa fees.

“Industry has raised some concerns about whether it is able to get sufficient talent for jobs, including India-based MNCs, but also US-based companies as well,” Jaishankar told median on Tuesday. He emphasized that immigration policies remain a sovereign matter but cautioned that restrictive measures may create long-term challenges.

The US administration last week announced a major overhaul of the H-1B system, mandating a USD 100,000 fee for every new H-1B application, up from the earlier USD 1,500. The rule applies to fresh petitions and lottery entries filed after September 21, while current visa holders remain unaffected.

Jaishankar also flagged concerns about broader US–India ties, pointing to 50 per cent US tariffs on Indian imports, including an additional 25 per cent levy linked to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude oil. “From India’s point of view, the 50 per cent tariff is unusually high, and particularly the 25 per cent extra tariff… needs to be brought down,” he said.

On geopolitical issues, Jaishankar dismissed US President Donald Trump’s UNGA claim of credit for easing India–Pakistan tensions after Operation Sindoor. “India has been very clear… the cessation of hostilities on May 10th was a consequence of India’s own military actions. Prime Minister Modi has made that quite clear to President Trump,” he stated.

Despite recent friction, Jaishankar noted signs of a more positive trajectory in bilateral engagement after “two months of a frigid relationship at the top levels.”