(FE)
The vexed issue of the Trump administration mulling curbs in H-1B visas has been taken up with by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with the American authorities during his ongoing visit, an Indian official said on Sunday. The issue was raised by Mr Jaitley during his meeting with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in Washington on Saturday, an Indian Finance Ministry statement said.
“Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised the issue of H-1B visas for skilled professionals from India and highlighted the contribution which Indian companies and professionals are making to US economy,” it said.
The issue stems from recent executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump which indicate a possible tightening of the H-1B visas. “Issues related to terror funding were also discussed and the US Treasury Secretary appreciated the role of India in this regard, including Indo-US cooperation in FATF (Financial Action Task Force),” the statement said.
“Critical economic issues like Indo-US Investment Initiative, infrastructure collaboration, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, collaboration with USA for smart cities development, etcetera, were deliberated upon during the meeting,” it added.
