Sushma flags issue of H1B Visa with Congressional delegation

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday flagged the issue of H1B visa as a "strong concern" and sought bipartisan Congressional support for the same. Ms Swaraj took up the matter in a meeting with the US Congressional delegation here. A nine-member US Congressional delegation from the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology led by its Chairman Lamar Smith are in India to discuss issues concerning cyber security and space cooperation.

According to MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar, the Minister lauded the positive role of the US Congress in developing India-US strategic relations. Ms Swaraj also welcomed the strong desire of the delegation to strengthen cooperation in strategic, economic, Space and Technology and space sectors, he said. During their four-day visit that commenced on October 15, the delegation would also visit Bengaluru.

During his recent visit to the United States, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had urged the United State to change its perspective for H-1B visa holders and said, "People who come in US through H-1B visa are high-value professionals which heavily contribute in the economy of the United States" and that they were not illegal economic migrants.