India today stressed that the steps announced by the US regarding Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries. Addressing media in New Delhi this afternoon, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that talent mobility adds value to both economies of India and the US.
He also highlighted that while it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally benefits US companies by providing access to cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness, and job creation. The spokesperson further stated that besides creating shareholder wealth in the US, this is an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries.
Mr Jaiswal clarified that the US government’s suspension of certain companies from the PERM programme does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of visa holders and their dependents. He said that the move could have some impact on the permanent residency or green card process for eligible employees of the affected companies.
Responding to comments by US Vice President JD Vance on non-American workers, Mr Jaiswal said such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the US are highly educated. He pointed out that the history of US itself has been shaped by generations of immigration. He also stressed that resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive.
Replying to a query on United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, the spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it has been India’s consistent position that this has outlived its relevance after the Simla Agreement signed between India and Pakistan.
On the attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in both the Gulf region and the Black Sea region, Mr Jaiswal siad that India and Liberia, as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4), have strongly condemned the series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the region. He informed that the first meeting of this Group took place in New York, where the Liberian Foreign Minister and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar took the lead and presided over the meeting.
He said, twenty-five countries joined the meeting and the idea behind this is to bring the safety of the seafarers and commercial shipping to the centre of global discourse and discussion. Mr Jaiwswal said the aim is to enhance international cooperation to ensure that commercial shipping is not disrupted and that seafarers remain safe and secure.
