‘This is shocking’: Shashi Tharoor on silence of Indian diaspora in US over H-1B, tariffs; urges community to speak out | India News

Shashi Tharoor (File photograph)

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday highlighted the dearth of engagement from the Indian-American community on points affecting India, corresponding to H-1B visa restrictions and commerce tariffs, as he welcomed a visiting US Congressional delegation in New Delhi.Tharoor mentioned the five-member delegation, all Democrats with 4 of them from California expressed “tremendous interest in India” and reiterated that the US Congress continues to worth and assist the India–US strategic partnership.“We had a very good visit from a US Congressional delegation which consisted of five members of the US House of Congress. They spoke very warmly and positively of the relationship, and the most important message that came out was that a lot of American opinion, including in Congress, is strongly committed to the Indian relationship despite recent setbacks like the H1-B visa issue, the 50% tariff setback and the sanctions on Chabahar Port,” Tharoor mentioned.However, the Congress chief additionally questioned why the Indian-American diaspora had not been vocal on these issues. He pointed out that one of the visiting congresswomen mentioned she had not obtained a single cellphone name from any Indian-American voter urging her to assist a change of coverage.“This is something that is surprising,” Tharoor remarked, including that the diaspora should speak up if they honestly care about India. “If you care about the relationship with your motherland, then you also have to fight for it, speak for it and press your political representatives to stand up for India.”Tharoor famous that the delegation members who visited India had been already “friends of India” and “well disposed” in direction of the bilateral relationship, however confused that extra effort from the Indian-American community was wanted to strengthen political assist for India in Washington.A delegation of US Congresspersons visited the Parliament House Annexe Extension Building to meet the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The session was chaired by Tharoor. The committee assembly included a briefing by officers from the Ministry of External Affairs on “India–Sri Lanka Relations and the way ahead,” in addition to discussions with the US Congressional delegation.The new US coverage on H-1B visas has launched a one-time payment of USD 100,000 for brand spanking new candidates, efficient from September 21. According to the US administration, the payment doesn’t apply to current H-1B visa holders or renewals, and is not an annual recurring cost.US President Donald Trump had imposed a further 25% tariff on Indian items, doubling duties on key exports corresponding to clothes, gems and jewelry, footwear, furnishings and chemical substances. The transfer was seen as a significant setback for Indian exporters and commerce ties.