Former minister and BRS MLA Harish Rao has strongly criticized the recent hike in the US H-1B visa fees and the 25% tariffs imposed on Indian goods. He described these developments as a clear failure of the central government , reflecting shortcomings in India’s diplomatic efforts. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rao highlighted that these decisions are adversely affecting millions of Indian families and thousands of industries.
He also pointed out the severe mental stress faced by Indian students, professionals, and parents working abroad due to these policies. Rao urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to engage in immediate discussions with the US government and seek effective solutions to mitigate the impact.
The White House clarified that the H-1B fee hike applies only to new visa applicants . Existing visa holders can continue to travel to the US without additional charges, and renewals will not be affected, addressing concerns of potential disruptions for current visa holders.
