Arun Jaitley takes up H-1B issue

New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley raised the issue of tightening of H-1B visa regime with  US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross and emphasised contributions of the skilled Indian professionals to US economy.

“Finance minister raised the issue of recent executive orders which indicate a possible tightening of the H-1B visa regime,” said a statement issued by the finance ministry here on Friday.

It said that finance minister outlined the significant contributions the skilled Indian professionals have made to the US economy and “expressed the hope that the US administration will take this aspect into consideration while taking any decision.”

Finance minister was accompanied by the India’s ambassador Navtej Sarna and economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das.Mr Jaitley is in US to attend the annual Spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

The statement said that both leaders emphasised the strength of Indo-US economic relations and the bipartisan support it has acquired over the years. “Finance minister briefed the US commerce secretary on the strength of the Indian economy and the significant structural reforms government of India has undertaken over the last three years,” it said.

US commerce secretary Ross congratulated Mr Jaitley on making the GST a reality, it added. According to agency reports, Mr Ross is believed to have said that US has started the process of reviewing H-1B visas issues and no decision has been taken on them yet.