lauding India’s decision to ask the US to find a just and non-discriminatory solution to visa issue, software body Nasscom today said the US should revisit the decision on visa fee hike and commit against such ‘discriminatory steps’ in future.
“The US should revisit the issue of hike in visa fee, and find appropriate alternatives to fund their (social) objectives. Also, there should be clear commitment against such discriminatory steps in future,” R Chandrashekhar, President of Nasscom told PTI.
Expressing hope that the US would look into the issue of increase in visa fee, which has been doubled for certain categories of H1B and l1 visas to $4,000 and $4,500 respectively, Chandrashekhar said, “While we understand and are sympathetic to the fact the fee collected will be utilised towards healthcare requirements of the 9/11 victims, the question remains as to why should that cost be imposed on skilled IT workers.”
He said the US approach to the issue has been ‘discriminatory, singling out Indian companies without naming them, for adverse treatment’. “We are opposed to the approach of looking at provisions or restrictions on a discriminatory basis. It is not conducive to trade relations between the two countries,” Chandrashekhar said terming the visa issue as ‘trade issue’ and not an immigration issue. India, on Tuesday, asked the US to find a ‘just and non-discriminatory’ solution to the issue to avoid any adverse effect on the bilateral trade ties.