Shashi Tharoor: H-1B Visa Fee hike And Tariffs Hurt India, But India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has described the US decision to raise H-1B visa fees and impose fresh tariffs on Indian goods as a “sharp setback” for India, particularly in terms of jobs and trade. While acknowledging that these measures are both costly and “unfair,” he argued that the situation does not mark a breakdown in bilateral ties. Tharoor said the move would hurt India’s IT sector and affect many professionals working in the US but insisted that deep-rooted cooperation in areas like defence, technology, artificial intelligence, and space will prevent lasting damage. Highlighting the presence of over five million Indian-origin people in the US, including students and CEOs in Silicon Valley , he noted that people-to-people ties remain a strong foundation. Despite tensions, Th