Ami Bera, member of the US House of Representatives, has made an important comment regarding the relations between India and America. He was speaking at the hearing of the Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on South and Central Asia. During this, he openly expressed his views on India’s foreign policy, global role, H-1B visa issues, India’s proximity with Russia and balanced coexistence with China.

Ami Bera told that recently a senior member had a joint photo of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Some members objected to this picture, but according to Bera, this picture reflects India’s long-term strategy. He said that India will have to co-exist with China to some extent due to its geographical and strategic environment, but its real priorities and long-term interests clearly lie with the Western countries. According to him, India understands that America plays an important role in its economic and technological progress.

Concern over H-1B visa fees
Ami Bera also spoke on an important issue related to the American immigration system. He said that the fee of up to $100,000 on H-1B visa puts a huge burden on the companies and American companies also suffer losses due to this. According to him, President Trump has also understood that stopping technical talent from coming to America is not in the interest of the country. Bera also expressed the hope that in future such a visa system can be created so that Indian scientists and engineers can go to America without complications and American experts can visit India. He said that these are the people who do not have any security concerns and this would be an ideal step for technical cooperation between the two countries.

America’s concern on Russia-India relations

India’s close relations with Russia often become a topic of discussion in America. Ami Bera gave his clear opinion on this also. He acknowledged that US policymakers have some concerns about India’s close ties with Russia, but he also acknowledged that these ties stem from India’s historical and strategic circumstances. He said that India’s dialogue with Russia is important even today and it is this unique position that gives India a unique role on the global stage. Bera also added that President Biden is making genuine efforts to end the Ukraine conflict and India can play a mediator or bridge role in this process.

Preparation to bring Russia into the mainstream after Ukraine war

Ami Bera indicated that after the end of the Ukraine conflict, the US and its allies will have to think together about how to re-integrate Russia into the global mainstream. He acknowledged that India’s role could be very important in this goal, because India maintains dialogue with both Russia and the West.

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Giving a big relief to foreign professionals, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new guidelines on the application fee of one lakh dollars for H-1B visa. Many exemptions and exceptions have been included in this. According to the new guidelines, people who are switching from F-1 (student) visa to H-1B visa category will not have to pay this heavy fee. Similarly, this fee will not be applicable on H-1B visa holders who apply for amendment, change of status or extension of visa while staying within the US.

Apart from this, existing H-1B visa holders will not have any restrictions on their travel to and from the country. This fee will be applicable only to those new applicants who are outside the US and do not have a valid H-1B visa. Online payment link for the new application process has also been released.

This clarification has come at a time when the US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration against this decision. The organization called this fee illegal and said that it would have a serious economic impact on American businesses and companies would either have to drastically increase their labor expenses or reduce the recruitment of skilled foreign workers.

This is the second major legal challenge against the Trump administration. Earlier, a group of labor unions, education experts and religious institutions had also filed a lawsuit on October 3. Trump had said on this announcement signed on September 19 that its purpose is to encourage employment to American citizens. However, this decision has created confusion among existing visa holders as to whether they will be able to return to America or not.

The White House had told IANS on September 20 that this is a one-time fee, which will apply only to new visa applications and not to renewal or existing visa holders. In 2024, Indian-origin professionals had more than 70 percent share in the total approved H-1B visas. This was due to the huge backlog of cases pending in visa approval and the large number of highly skilled applicants coming from India.

H-1b Visa: After the first tariff, then the penalty, another decree of US President Donald Trump has come out. President Trump has announced a change in the rules of the H1-B visa. For this, the fee for new application of visa has been increased annually to $ 100,000. In Indian currency, this amount is about 88 lakh rupees.

Due to this, thousands of people who want to get a job in America will be affected. Since Trump is working on the policy of America First by his election campaign, in which they are talking about the rights of the country and the countrymen.

Why will you have to pay more fees for H-1B visa?

Trump believes that due to the H1-B visa, foreign workers are eating jobs of local people here. In view of this, he is strict in immigration rules. The White House has said in a statement that the H-1B visa program is discouraging people here to adopt Stem (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics).

The White House expressed concern that many American companies have trimmed American technical staff here and placed foreign employees in their place. The White House also said that a company here received 5,189 H-1B approvals. The company trimmed 16,000 US employees. Similarly, another company got 1,698 approval. This company also took out many of its American staff in Oregon.

Sorting in America

The White House said in a statement, “A company was approved for 5,189 H-1B employees in the business year 2025, while it laid down around 16,000 American employees this year. Another company was approved for 1,698 H –1B employees in 2025, yet it announced a sorting of 2,400 US employees in Oregon in July.”

The White House also reported that a third company has cut the US jobs from 2022 to 27,000 US jobs despite receiving 25,075 H-1B approval, while another company has fired 1,000 Americans and some were forced to quit work.

America needs more skilled workers

On Friday, the Trump administration announced this new rule at the Oval Office. It was told that this would ensure that the workers brought by the companies after the H-1B visa approval are more skilled and they do not replace American employees. Signing on this new rule, Trump said, “Companies need workers and we need excellent workers.” The new rules will ensure that the US now gets good and more skilled employees. ”In this way the Trump administration is imposing more costs on companies desirous of preventing misuse of H-1B visa program, preventing salary cuts and protecting the national security of Americans.

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America killed ax on its foot by increasing H-1B visa fees, India will benefit

US President Donald Trump signed an announcement on Friday (September 19, 2025), under which there is a provision to increase the H1B visa fee to US $ 1,00,000 (Rs 88 lakh) annually. For this fee, the first $ 10,000 (8 to 10 lakh) was fixed. Trump’s move is expected to adversely affect Indian professionals working in America.

At the same time, US Commerce Minister Howard Lutnik was seen justifying this decision of Trump. He said, ‘Is that person so precious that the company should give $ 100,000 to the government every year. This is the purpose of immigration. Keep Americans on jobs, make sure the people coming to the top talent. The President’s attitude is very clear. The top talent is only for America, stop rubbish. ‘

Only capable people get entry into America

Howard Lutnik insisted, ‘The purpose of this policy of Trump is to ensure that only capable people get admission. The company will have to decide. Do they want this, is the person so valuable that he should get a payment of one million dollars annually, or should he return home and achieve even more high status in America? ‘

He said, ‘If someone has to train, then give training to the youths who have completed studies from good universities of our country, train Americans. Do not snatch our jobs by bringing people from outside.

Technical companies dependent on foreign talent

Trump has already been questioning the H-1B visa. This visa is especially important for technical companies, as they are very dependent on foreign talent. According to government data, people with about two-thirds of H-1B visas are done in computer and tech related work. However, this visa is also used to hire engineers, teachers and health sector employees.

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