Krishna asks for easier visa norms

External affairs minister SM Krishna made a strong pitch with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton to ease visa regulations that have adversely affected Indian IT companies.

External affairs minister SM Krishna made a strong pitch with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton to ease visa regulations that have adversely affected Indian IT companies.

HT Image

He urged US to give more temporary work visa for Indian IT professionals and Clinton assured the minister that she would direct her officials to look into the matter.

"I also took the opportunity to convey to Secretary Clinton the concerns of our IT companies in sending their professionals to execute projects and conduct business in the United States. I highlighted that Indian IT companies are contributing to the US economy through investments, employment and supporting US competitiveness," Krishna said after his meeting with Clinton.

According to IT industry estimates, the rejection of visa by the US, in the H-1B/L1 visa rejection rates have doubled to 8 % for larger companies, and is much higher in case of smaller firms. The H category visas are temporary workers' visa.

The US government has put a cap of 65,000 for H1-B visas. Krishna also pushed for a totalisation pact with India. This will help Indians on short term work visa to repatriate the money they have paid for the social security benefits there. Both sides also agreed to resume a bilateral investment treaty.