Jaishankar's US visit: H1B, safety of Indians likely to top agenda

India's concerns over possible clampdown on H1B visas and safety of its nationals are expected to be raised by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar when he holds talks with the senior members of the Donald Trump Administration during his US visit starting tomorrow.

According to officials here, Jaishankar will also be holding talks on regional and international issues of mutual interest with senior members.

During the four-day visit, which is taking place barely days after the killing of an Indian engineer in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent hate crime incident, India is also expected to raise the issue of safety of its nationals during the discussions.

India is also concerned about possible adverse impact of the tightening of immigration policies of the Trump Administration.

Maintaining that the government was engaged with the Trump Administration as well as members of the US Congress on concerns regarding the H1B visa issue, the officials said India's view that Indian IT companies were contributing to the American economy by increasing the competitiveness of their firms will be conveyed by the foreign secretary during his meetings.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year.