New York : India on Friday strongly condemned US Vice President JD Vance for describing H-1B visa holders as “indentured servants”, terming his remarks “unwarranted” and “deeply offensive”. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended Indian professionals working in the US, stressing that they are highly skilled contributors to the American economy and innovation ecosystem.
The sharp reaction was in response to Vance’s remarks backing the US Labour Department’s suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, known as PERM, for eight IT giants, including Microsoft, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and HCL. The US Vice President’s jibe is not only tone-deaf but also deeply problematic. The term carries particular historical weight in India. Hundreds of thousands of Indians were transported to British colonies and other territories as indentured labourers during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
India also invoked America’s own history, noting that generations of immigrants had helped build its prosperity through their labour, enterprise and innovation. The government emphasised that talent mobility benefits both economies, not just Indian workers seeking opportunities abroad. While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US,” the MEA said.
“While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US,” the MEA said. Describing talent mobility as an area of “tremendous mutual benefit” for the two countries, New Delhi added that the latest US measures “do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries.”
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