Jaishankar to Rubio: Fix Visa Backlog or Risk India-US Ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued a sharp warning to the US administration regarding the ongoing visa crisis, stating that a "400-odd day waiting period" for appointments is detrimental to the India-US relationship. Speaking after a year of intense diplomatic engagement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar highlighted the dual challenge facing Indian citizens: record-breaking delays for visitor visas and a prohibitive $100,000 H-1B fee imposed by the Trump administration in September 2025. The comments come as India grapples with a new wave of deportations and a strict crackdown on the "Dunki" illegal migration route.

The Context (How We Got Here)

The visa deadlock has escalated throughout 2025. While Jaishankar and Rubio have met multiple times—from the inauguration in January to the UNGA in September—technical barriers have only hardened. The Trump administration has introduced mandatory social media vetting for students, a $250 "visa integrity fee," and the controversial $100,000 H-1B surcharge, which disproportionately impacts Indian IT professionals who receive over 70% of these visas. Simultaneously, US enforcement has successfully curbed illegal entry, with Indian detentions at the US border dropping 62% this year.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

S. Jaishankar (India's EAM): The negotiator. He is balancing the need for a strategic partnership with the reality that Indian citizens are facing unprecedented hurdles to enter the US legally. His "mutual interest" framing is a diplomatic nudge to Washington that trade and tech cooperation cannot thrive without people-to-people mobility.
Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State): The counterpart. While emphasizing India's critical role in counterbalancing China, his department enforces the restrictive policies. His focus remains on "legal mobility" while tightening the screws on asylum and work visas.
Donald Trump (US President): The architect. His administration views the H-1B fee as a tool to force companies to "hire American," justifying the cost as a premium for foreign talent.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While headlines focus on the delays, the deeper story is the "Strategic Decoupling of Talent." The $100,000 H-1B fee isn't just a tax; it's a structural barrier designed to end the era of the "on-site" Indian IT worker. This forces Indian tech giants like TCS and Infosys to accelerate their shift to Global Capability Centers (GCCs) within India, keeping talent at home. Paradoxically, Trump's protectionist move might achieve what Indian policymakers have long wanted: reversing the brain drain. The decline in "Dunki" illegal migration suggests a broader cooling of the "American Dream" among the Indian middle class, driven not just by walls, but by the sheer cost and complexity of legal entry.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

For Indian students and professionals, the US is becoming a fortress—accessible only to the ultra-wealthy or the exceptionally patient. This may redirect talent flows to Canada, the UK, or Germany. Diplomatic tensions will persist as long as the backlog remains, potentially affecting broader trade negotiations. The acceptance of deportation flights by New Delhi signals a pragmatic shift: India is willing to cooperate on illegal migration in exchange for leniency on legal pathways—a trade-off that has yet to yield results for the H-1B applicant.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the "strategic partnership" is so critical, why does it take longer to get a visa interview than it does to build a satellite?

FAQs

What is Jaishankar's stance on US visa delays? EAM Jaishankar has publicly stated that a "400-odd day waiting period" for visa appointments is unacceptable and does not serve the interests of the India-US partnership. He has consistently raised this issue in meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

How does the $100,000 H-1B fee hike impact Indian IT companies? The new fee, introduced by the Trump administration in September 2025, significantly increases the cost of hiring foreign talent. It disproportionately affects Indian IT majors like TCS and Infosys, who are accelerating their shift to hiring locally in the US or moving roles to Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India.

Why does the US require social media vetting for student visas? As of mid-2025, the US mandates that student visa applicants make their social media accounts public for vetting. This is framed as a national security measure to screen for potential threats, though critics argue it is an invasion of privacy.

What is India's "Dunki" route? "Dunki" refers to the illegal "donkey route" used by migrants to enter countries like the US, often via Latin America. Due to stricter enforcement and cooperation between India and the US, illegal crossings by Indians have dropped by 62% in FY 2025.

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Sseema Giill Founder & CEO

Sseema Giill is an inspiring media professional, CEO of Screenage Media Pvt Ltd, and founder of the NGO AGE (Association for Gender Equality). She is also the Founder CEO and Chief Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK. Giill champions women's empowerment and gender equality, particularly in rural India, and was honored with the Champions of Change Award in 2023.