Jaitley takes up H-1B visa issue with US Commerce Secy

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has strongly raised the H-1B visa issue with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as both leaders emphasized the strength of economic relations and the bipartisan support it has acquired over the years.

During the meeting in Washington DC yesterday, Jaitley raised the issue of recent executive orders, which indicate a possible tightening of the H-1B visa regime.

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

Jaitley briefed the US Commerce Secretary on the strength of the Indian economy and the significant structural reforms the Government of India has undertaken over the last three years.

The US Commerce Secretary congratulated the Indian Finance Minister on making the GST a reality.

Jaitley is presently on a five-day official visit to the US. He is leading an Indian delegation to attend the Annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Over the next two days, the visiting minister is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the US, Australia, France, Indonesia and Sweden. He is also likely to meet the Finance Ministers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.