Right after Donald Trump became President of USA many felt that US-India relations will grow even stronger considering his aggressive stand against terrorists. Many expected him to take action against terrorists nurtured and nourished by Pakistan.
Indians especially felt that there are many similarities between PM Modi and President Trump and they would do wonders to US-India relations. However situations changed drastically with Trump's aggressive America first policy.
His stand on H1 B visas and immigration rules resulted in increase in racist attacks and increase in shootouts on Indians is worrying Indian establishment. India flew in MEA team and also NASSCOM team met Trump administration.
However even after their meeting, there is no change in H1 B policies and immigration rules. While critics say the current immigration program has been abused with many companies contracting out jobs to consulting firms that bring in lower-paid workers from overseas. Employees on H-1B visas are unable to change employers. Critics say that leaves them with little leverage to negotiate their salaries. Trump's nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has long opposed the program, and there's bipartisan congressional support for reform.
Many feel this may result in straining of relations between India and USA. Rick Rossow, an India specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said "The question is how much is the Indian government willing to put on the table to represent corporate interests in its discussions with the US,"
Bharath Gopalaswamy, director of the South Asia program at the Atlantic Council, another Washington-based think tank differs saying "I don't think they will bet all their chips on this."
