India is making a strong pitch for greater access for its skilled professionals in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, after facing setbacks due to tighter H-1B visa restrictions. Worker mobility has now emerged as a top priority in the bilateral dialogue, alongside trade in goods and services.
The H-1B program, crucial for India’s $250 billion IT services industry, has seen stricter scrutiny and higher rejection rates in recent years, raising concerns among businesses and policymakers. New Delhi is urging Washington to ease barriers and explore alternative visa pathways for professionals in sectors like IT, healthcare, and engineering.
While discussions also cover market access for agriculture, medical devices, and digital trade, India is pushing worker mobility as a strategic demand, calling it essential for strengthening economic ties.
The US has underlined the need for “balanced talks,” citing domestic political sensitivities over jobs and immigration. However, analysts believe that a breakthrough on this front could deepen India–US economic and strategic relations.
