Trump’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to US$100,000 ($129,835) represents yet another blow to India’s economy, particularly its IT services industry — one of the country’s most dynamic growth engines. Currently, Indian nationals account for more than 70% of all H-1B holders, with most of them working in IT or technology-related sectors. Given this, it is hardly surprising that the share prices of Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro, which rely heavily on H-1B visas to access the US market, declined following Trump’s announcement.
India has long benefited from geopolitical arbitrage, maintaining working relationships with Russia, the US, and Europe. But this delicate balancing act is now being tested by a series of policy shocks delivered by US President Donald Trump’s administration. These disruptions, unlikely to ease anytime soon, raise a critical question: Can India retain its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy?
The most urgent challenge facing Indian policymakers is weathering the escalating trade war. In August, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing the need to reduce India’s trade surplus with the US and punish the country for its massive purchases of Russian oil. Adding to the pressure, Trump has urged the European Union and other G7 countries to take even harsher steps — namely, to impose a 100% tariff on imports from India and China.
