Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM, has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over the recent changes to the H-1B visa program by the US under President Donald Trump. These changes include a $100,000 annual fee on applications. Owaisi expressed concerns about the potential impact on Indians, particularly those from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, who are major beneficiaries of the H-1B visa system. He questioned the effectiveness of the Indian government’s foreign policy, particularly in light of the ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’ events, suggesting they did not yield significant benefits. Owaisi highlighted the importance of H-1B visas for the Indian tech sector and the remittances they generate, which contribute significantly to India’s economy. He lamented the perceived decline in India’s global standing and called for a more assertive foreign policy, including expanding rupee-based trade agreements to counter US pressure. He emphasized that the consequences of these policies are felt most acutely by ordinary Indians.
