H1B Visa Issue ‘Thing of Past’: Piyush Goyal

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Piyush Goyal declared the H1B visa issue a thing of the past.
He met with top business leaders in the US to discuss investment opportunities in India.
Focus on strengthening India-US trade relations and building strategic partnerships.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that discussions surrounding the H1B visa issue are now a thing of the past. He emphasized that India is now focused on fostering strategic international partnerships and enhancing trade relations rather than discussing visa-related topics.

This significant statement came during a meeting at Vanijya Bhavan in New Delhi, where Goyal outlined India’s economic strategy following his recent visit to the United States.

During his two-day trip, Goyal held meetings in New York and Washington with CEOs of major companies, focusing on reforms introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. These reforms aim to attract foreign investments, particularly in the pharmaceutical and diamond sectors.

Surat, a major diamond hub, was highlighted as a prime area for investment. Goyal met with about 30 business leaders in New York, many of whom are already operating in India and are keen on expanding their ventures.

In Washington, Goyal held a luncheon meeting with 17 CEOs from the CEO Forum, including top officials from Tata Sons. Discussions focused on restructuring the CEO forum, as several members’ terms are set to expire in December. Several key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to strengthen business ties between India and the US.

Goyal’s meetings also involved small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), think tanks, educators, and organizations like the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He stressed that this visit was unlike previous ones as it carried no “negative agenda,” reflecting a more optimistic outlook for India-US relations.

Key discussions extended into areas such as clean energy development, technology transfer, digital telecommunications, and defense partnerships. While discussions on biosciences progressed, there was limited advancement in biofuels, largely due to the upcoming US elections.

Additionally, talks were held to establish a stable exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar, which would further bolster bilateral trade. Other key topics included tourism and digital economy development.